Iran and Saudi Arabia Hold High-Level Talks Amid Fragile Ceasefire with Israel
RIYADH: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held key discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to a statement from the Saudi foreign ministry on Wednesday. The talks come just two weeks after a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was established, signaling a potential turning point in Middle East diplomacy.
During the meeting, Crown Prince Mohammed expressed hope that the current truce would contribute to stability across the region, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s continued support for resolving disputes through diplomatic channels, the ministry posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Diplomatic Thanks and Regional Tensions
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi reportedly thanked Saudi Arabia for its condemnation of Israel’s airstrikes on Iran, which took place on June 13. The strikes targeted military and nuclear facilities as well as residential areas, claiming the lives of over 1,000 people, including top military leaders and nuclear scientists, according to Iranian officials.
In retaliation, Iran launched waves of drone and missile attacks on Israeli territory, resulting in at least 28 fatalities, according to Israeli authorities.
US Involvement and Ongoing Ceasefire
The conflict escalated when the United States—previously engaged in nuclear talks with Iran—joined Israel’s military campaign. On June 22, U.S. forces conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting widespread international concern.
Despite these tensions, a ceasefire has been in effect since June 24, though US-Iran nuclear negotiations have since stalled.
Saudi Arabia’s Balancing Act
Saudi Arabia, long viewed as a key regional player, issued strong statements condemning both the Israeli attacks on Iran and the subsequent U.S. military strikes, labeling them as “aggressions” and “violations of international law.”
During the high-level discussions, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Minister Araghchi held “fruitful conversations” not only with Crown Prince Mohammed, but also with Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Defense Minister Prince Khaled bin Salman. The talks focused on bilateral relations and regional developments.
Renewed Diplomatic Engagement
Iran and Saudi Arabia have historically found themselves on opposite sides of regional conflicts, particularly in Yemen and Syria. Diplomatic ties were severed in 2016, but were restored in 2023 following a China-brokered rapprochement deal.
This recent round of dialogue reflects Crown Prince Mohammed’s shift toward diplomacy, marking a more conciliatory approach to foreign policy and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a mediator in regional affairs.
