Tehran’s high diplomat Abbas Araghchi visits Saudi Arabia for the primary time after Iran’s 12-day battle with Israel.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has met Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah within the first go to by a high Iranian official to the Gulf kingdom after Israel’s war with Tehran.
Iranian Ministry of Overseas Affairs spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei mentioned Araghchi’s talks with Prince Mohammed and different Saudi officers on Tuesday have been “fruitful”.
The go to after the 12-day intense battle between Israel and Iran, which noticed the USA bomb three Iranian nuclear amenities earlier than mediating a ceasefire, means that the battle didn’t derail the rapprochement between Tehran and Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia’s official information company, SPA, mentioned Araghchi and Prince Mohammed “reviewed bilateral relations and mentioned the newest regional developments and the efforts being made in that regard”.
“The Crown Prince expressed the Kingdom’s aspiration that the ceasefire settlement would contribute to creating situations that promote safety and stability within the area, emphasizing the Kingdom’s stance in supporting dialogue by diplomatic means as a path to resolving disputes,” SPA mentioned.
It added that Araghchi expressed his gratitude to the dominion for “condemning the Israeli aggression”.
The highest Iranian diplomat additionally met with Saudi Minister of Defence Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and Overseas Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
Israel launched an enormous bombardment towards Iran on June 13, with out direct provocation, killing high army commanders and nuclear scientists in addition to tons of of civilians.
Iran retaliated with missile barrages that left widespread destruction in Israel.
After the US focused Iran’s nuclear websites, Tehran responded with a missile launch towards a US airbase in Qatar. Shortly after that assault, US President Donald Trump introduced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
Whereas Arab international locations condemned the assault as a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty, Iran seems to be pushing to restore relations with Gulf states.
Ties between Tehran and Riyadh have been strained for years over disagreements round regional conflicts and mutual accusations of spreading instability.
However the two international locations agreed to revive formal relations as part of a deal brokered by China in 2023, and high Saudi and Iranian officers have been in common contact.
Earlier than the outbreak of the current battle, Saudi Arabia had welcomed Iran’s nuclear talks with the US, saying it supported efforts to resolve regional and worldwide disputes.
On Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian mentioned he believed Tehran might resolve its variations with the US by dialogue, however belief could be a difficulty after the assaults on his nation.
In an article revealed by the Monetary Instances earlier on Tuesday, Araghchi accused Israel of preferring battle over diplomacy.
“Iran stays excited about diplomacy, however we’ve good purpose to have doubts about additional dialogue,” he wrote. “If there’s a want to resolve this amicably, the US ought to present real readiness for an equitable accord.”
