Aref's reaction to Qasemi's remarks in Saudi Arabia: The personal stance of some individuals harms the improving relations with Islamic countries and the region.

Mohammad Reza Aref, the First Vice President, remarked in a cabinet meeting that all governments in the region understand that an individual's opinion does not relate to the government, and position statements should be made based on official platforms so that this positive path toward expanding cooperation with regional, neighboring, and Islamic countries is not harmed, and these relations continue robustly.