Iran says it is ready for talks with Saudi Arabia to promote regional peace despite "unlawful and inflammatory" remarks by the Saudi deputy crown prince, who vowed to protect his kingdom from what he called Iranian efforts to dominate the Muslim world.
"We have no desire, nor any interest, in an escalation of tension in our neighbourhood," Iran's UN Ambassador Gholamali Khoshroo wrote in a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council.
"We continue to stand ready for dialogue and accommodation to promote regional stability, combat destabilising extremist violence and reject sectarian hatred," he wrote.
"We hope Saudi Arabia will be persuaded to heed the call of reason."
