TEHRAN – The Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said in a press conference in Jeddah on Saturday that Iran is an independent Islamic country and has the right to respond to any threat, Okaz newspaper reported on Sunday.

Asked about a possible attack on Iran by the Zionist regime or a move by the U.S. to slap economic sanctions on Tehran, he said, “You should ask these questions from Iran. We do not represent Iran and we can not answer on behalf of Iran.”

“Iran is our neighbor with which we have interactions. However, Iran has its own policies and special position. It has bilateral relations with other countries and follows its own strategy in the region,” the newspaper quoted the Saudi top diplomat as saying.

“Any prejudgment will be an act of cruelty against Iran as it is an independent country and is authorized to encounter any threat,” the paper reported.