The fallout of strained relations between Tehran and Riyadh impacts the stability of the Middle East, Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Oleg Ozerov told Sputnik.

RIYADH/DUBAI (Sputnik) � Russia is prepared to aid Iran and Saudi Arabia in diffusing mutual tensions between the two neighboring countries, Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Oleg Ozerov told Sputnik.

"The issue of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia is very complex, it has many aspects and levels, there is a historic aspect, an ideological one and there are things linked to the differing interpretations of Islam, confessional ones� The issue is so multifaceted that there is no one magic crystal that will show the whole truth, no magic wand that would resolve all these problems. It is evident that in this case Russia is a side that can undertake efforts to lower the degree of tension between the two countries," Ozerov said.

The recent severing of diplomatic ties between the two countries is a recurring phenomenon, the diplomat stressed, adding that the fallout of this impacts the stability of the Middle East, which Russia is highly concerned with. "Of course, the severely tense situation between them cannot but have an impact on regional stability, on everything that happens in the region. Russia, as a country that is in principle in favor of restoring stability to the Middle East, of course, cannot help being concerned by these instances of confrontation between the two countries," Ozerov said.

A major diplomatic row between the Shia-dominated Iran and a range of Sunni-ruled countries, including Saudi Arabia, followed the execution of the prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr by Saudi authorities in January. The move triggered a public backlash in Iran, where protesters stormed the Saudi embassy and consulate. The two countries severed diplomatic ties in the wake of the events.

Date of Saudi King's Visit to Russia Not Agreed Upon Yet Moscow and Riyadh have not coordinated the date of Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's visit to Russia so far, the Russian ambassador to Saudi Arabia told Sputnik. "The issue of Saudi king's visit to Moscow remains on the agenda. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent the invitation to the king. It remains in force, the dates have not been adjusted yet," Oleg Ozerov said. According to Ozerov, the preparation of such a visit is "not a technical issue but a political one." This visit should include broad agenda, as it was during Putin's visit to Riyadh in 2007.

By Sputnik News