A top Saudi Arabian foreign minister criticized Iran on Monday for being "part of the problem" in efforts to resolve the conflict in the Middle East.

According to Saudi diplomat Saud al-Faisal, Iran has "occupying forces" in Yemen, Iraq and Syria, which it should pull out in order to be a part of solving the conflict.

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During a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Jeddah, al-Faisal said "in many of the conflicts, Iran is not a part of the solution but part of the problem.

In order for Iran to take part in solving the Middle Eastern conflict, it should withdraw its forces battling not only in Syria, but in Yemen and Iraq as well, al-Faisal added.

However, Tehran has denied al-Faisal's claim, insisting that it has no forces in the battle stricken nations, but said it had sent political advisers in Syria to help President Bashar Assad to retain his power and to fight the Islamic State militants.

Syria and Iran have been the strongest allies in the Middle East. The alliance between the two countries have provided military and political support for Assad's government for years. Several reports also claimed that Iran has been sending money and artillery to Syria and its troops.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has joined the coalition troops led by the United States in launching air attacks against the Islamic State militant forces who have been advancing in the regions of Syria and Iraq, adding that it seeks to defeat the militant troops and joined the Syrian forces fighting against Assad.

Aside from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan also joined the U.S.-led coalition in its air strikes against the militant groups, while support in logistics was provided by Qatar.

TagsIran, Saud al-Faisal, yemen, Iraq, ISIS, ISIL