Saudi minister: Bush 's threats strengthen Iranian- Saudi relations

Saudi minister of commerce Osama Bin Jaafar al-Faqih has stressed in Tehran that the American threats against Tehran strengthen Iranian- Saudi relations, according to the Iranian News Agency IRNA.

In conclusion of the fourth meeting of the Iranian- Saudi joint committee, al-Faqih said that the " threats of the ( US President Bush " against Iran do not disturb the relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, rather enhancing these relations ." He also indicated that these threats will not also affect Iran's relations with other Arab states."

The US President George Bush announced by the end of January that Iran, together with Iraq and Northern Korea constitutes the " axis of evil" and accused the said three countries of trying to " export terrorism'.

However, relations between al-Riyadh and Tehran witnessed a great improvement since the Iranian President Muhammad Khatami assumed presidency in Iran in 1997. In April 2001, the two countries signed a security agreement to fighting terrorism and drug trafficking.

The agreement between the two countries also states to maintain cooperation in the area of fighting " money laundry" and to control their joint borders and regional waters in the Gulf.

Iran, whose President Muhammad Khatami visited al-Riyadh in 1999, coordinates its oil policies with Saudi Arabia inside OPEC.