Al-Monitor: How is Iran planning to expand and strengthen its bilateral relations with other states, and which states are you targeting in this regard?

Fayyaz, who previously served as the deputy minister of oil and as ambassador to the International Renewable Energy Agency, said that while Iran is currently exporting more than 1 million barrels of oil a day, its actual potential is closer to 3 million. While he said that Tehran’s friends in the OPEC were doing “extra valuable” work to cover Iran’s share, he noted they will now be able to produce this themselves.

Fayyaz said that Iran blames Saudi Arabia for the region’s chaos, noting, “Our brothers in Saudi Arabia have made big mistakes in their decision-making.” He added that despite Iran being keen on adding new elements to its foreign policy, it will not change its policies of interference in countries in the region. The ambassador stressed that Tehran will continue to support its “Syrian brothers” and allies in Iraq. “When we begin we will finish the job,” he said. While Fayyaz said it is still too early to determine if Iran and the United States will foster more friendly relations beyond the nuclear deal, he expressed his view that "it's a very good time” to see whether the Americans are being honest.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Sitting in his office in Abu Dhabi, the Iranian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) told Al-Monitor that Iran is keen on opening relations with its Gulf neighbors, including Saudi Arabia, and ending tensions. Mohammad Reza Fayyaz has served for seven years as Iran’s ambassador to the UAE, a country that has excellent trade relations with Iran, despite tensions over the three conquered Northern Islands and differences in policies toward the region. Fayyaz told Al-Monitor in an interview that the UAE did not offer to mediate between Iran and other Gulf countries.

Fayyaz: After our relations and our agreement with the P5+1 countries, we anticipate that new conditions will be brought to the bilateral relations with these countries. We have resources: oil, iron, gold, aluminum, gas and many industries that originate from these resources. This will bring those countries in favor of profiting from Iran.

Despite all the limits and sanctions, we have developed our economy and we can continue like this. But we are interested in bringing new elements to our country.

Al-Monitor: Are there any plans for soft power approaches? Will we see more 'study in Iran' programs and other exchange programs with Arab and Western states?

Fayyaz: We have many famous universities in Iran. Our technical universities are well-known and reputable. Tens of thousands of foreign students are studying at our universities. We have a lot of potential. I also think from now on we can take on hundreds of thousands of additional international students. We don't differentiate between students. It does not matter to us if they are Westerners, Africans or Asians. The most important thing is their interest in the field.

As for Iranian students, we have sufficient universities in Iran that cover all disciplines. But we don’t have any problem with those who prefer to study in other countries. So the mutual relations are already happening. Whether hard or soft power, we are working on our influence.

Al-Monitor: You have previously said that the nuclear agreement will calm regional tension. In what way?

Fayyaz: We seriously think that our agreement will benefit everyone, especially the region. We don't blame those countries [that use nuclear energy]. It is very good for the environment; [it is] cheap energy and creates job opportunities. The use of nuclear weapons is bad.

Regarding our neighbors and friends in the region, we have received two [divergent] reactions from our neighbors. One group apparently is in support of our work and even congratulated us on this issue [the nuclear deal]. However, one of our neighboring countries is pessimistic and they try to negatively influence other countries. The problem is not the nuclear energy per se, but Iran being connected to this source. The reason [for their pessimism] is that we don't have money like them. We don't have as much oil and gas, but they are astonished at how much we interfere with other countries [despite our lack of resources].

But I don’t think this will continue. Soon they will calm down. We will do our best to have better relations [with that country]. As you know, Dr. [Mohammad Javad] Zarif’s first trip was to countries of the region after the signing of the nuclear deal in Vienna. He finished the second round of visits [to the countries in the region]. This means we will have better relations with the region, and the first positive result is that we are willing to resolve any tension.

Al-Monitor: Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that Tehran welcomes a dialogue with Riyadh. Are there any preparations underway for such talks?

Fayyaz: As you mentioned, his Excellency said “We are ready to negotiate,” but the negotiations have not taken place yet. I think that our Saudi friends should be willing to negotiate and abide by the protocol.

Al-Monitor: Despite some political tensions, the UAE has been keen to cooperate with Iran — there are strong economic ties and regular flights between the two countries, as well as the Higher UAE-Iranian Joint Commission. Following the nuclear deal, it is expected that many new UAE investors will head to Iran. Do you think the UAE could act as a mediator between Iran and other Gulf states in this regard?

Fayyaz: Our relations with the UAE are special and very good. I don't agree with you that there is tension. But I agree that we have some differences in views, but the leadership in both countries is managing these differences with dignity. So it is possible to try to get our viewpoints closer. Therefore, our Emirati friends have not asked us that they mediate between us and any other country. They have not offered to mediate. If they are ready, our decision will be very much more interesting.

Al-Monitor: Is there any cooperation between Iran and other Gulf countries in fighting the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and/or Syria?

Fayyaz: Our role in Iraq and Syria is very clear. When our Iraqi brothers wanted our help against IS, we responded to them. We tried advising them, we tried helping them. In Syria of course when the government and the people of Syria wanted our help, we helped them. We offer different kinds of help in Syria and that is very clear. I think that our friends in the region are not as ready or are fast decision-makers like us to help these countries. So if our friends in the region are eager to fight IS extremists and jihadists with us, we welcome them. But I doubt their readiness to come to us and be with us.

Al-Monitor: King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia held meetings in Mecca in mid-July with top political leaders from Hamas, including political bureau chief Khaled Meshaal. What is your stance on the warming ties between Riyadh and Hamas, and will it impact the latter’s ties with Tehran?

Fayyaz: No, why should we worry about that. They should have helped our Hamas friends much sooner. We have been supporting Hamas for years, but the Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, have not supported them. The point is that we think if they help Hamas to fight the Zionist regime then that is good. But if they are supporting them to bring new troubles [to the region], then that is not a good thing.

I suggest we do not rush into this warming [relationship]; it will come to an end. In our experience, this phase is only temporary. I advise you not to rush.

Al-Monitor: Does Iran blame Saudi Arabia for what is happening in the Middle East?

Fayyaz: Of course we blame them. We think our brothers in Saudi Arabia have made big mistakes in their decision-making. Some of the main problems in the region are [caused by] the incorrect decisions taken by the Saudis. Suddenly they come to the scene and they inject huge amounts of money. They give money to individuals but they lose their ability to manage them, so they leave the scene. We are not in favor of this method, to only do the easy part of the job.

Al-Monitor: You think Iran is more organized in terms of your policies?

Fayyaz: We do not have more organizations, but when we start something we will finish the job. For example, we have been supporting our friends in Lebanon ever since we started [showing support for them]. Up until now we continue to support our Syrian brothers; up until now we continue to support our brothers in Iraq. We did not abandon them halfway. When we begin we will finish the job. This is the difference [between us and] the Saudis.

Al-Monitor: When the sanctions will be removed, Iran will export oil. Are you going to compete with Saudi Arabia on oil?

Fayyaz: As you know we are now exporting more than 1 million barrels a day. Our share and potential is much more — about 3 million barrels a day. Our friends in the OPEC countries — including Saudi Arabia — are just covering our share. The work they are doing is extra valuable. They have to lose that, and we will gain our own right.

Al-Monitor: The Obama administration has been working to sell the nuclear agreement in the United States. How is the Iranian government selling this deal in Iran, particularly to the conservatives?

Fayyaz: The decision-making in Iran is different than in the US. We have our own principles. In our parliament there is a group that is in favor of this agreement, and others who have reasons to oppose. Many people are happy about that [the deal] and some are questioning it. Our authorities mainly are content and satisfied that they have reached this phase. So we are pursuing principles. I think that after a period of time all will be aligned.

I think after the talks we had in our universities, in parliament and during Friday prayers we will come to an agreement. But the first perception of Iranians was that this deal will bring social and economic benefits.

Al-Monitor: Is Iran interested in more friendly relations with the United States beyond the nuclear deal? If so, what steps will you take to foster these relations?

It’s still too early to respond to this question. First, the Americans should do many things to get us ready to respond to this question but I think that this is a good opportunity. The issue of nuclear energy is a focal point for decision-making in the future. I seriously think that this is a very good time to see whether the Americans are honest or not.