Iran said on Monday it would quit Syria peace talks if it found them unconstructive, citing the "negative role" of Saudi Arabia, in the latest twist in a spat between the regional rivals that bodes ill for efforts to ease turmoil across the Middle East. Increasingly bad-tempered exchanges between the conservative Sunni-ruled kingdom and the revolutionary Shia theocracy have dampened hopes of improved ties after the adversaries sat down for their first meeting to discuss the Syria war last week.
"In the first round of talks, some countries, especially Saudi Arabia, played a negative and unconstructive role Iran will not participate if the talks are not fruitful," ISNA cited deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian as saying. Delivering unusually personal criticism, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani appeared to reprimand Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, who, on Saturday, lashed out at Tehran for what he termed its interference in regional countries.