Tehran’s prime 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 International Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah within the first go to by a prime Iranian official to the Gulf kingdom after Israel’s war with Tehran.
Iranian Ministry of International Affairs spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated Araghchi’s talks with Prince Mohammed and different Saudi officers on Tuesday had been “fruitful”.
The go to after the 12-day intense battle between Israel and Iran, which noticed the US bomb three Iranian nuclear services 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, stated 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 via diplomatic means as a path to resolving disputes,” SPA stated.
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 International Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
Israel launched an enormous bombardment in opposition to Iran on June 13, with out direct provocation, killing prime navy commanders and nuclear scientists in addition to lots 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 in opposition to 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 had 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 prime Saudi and Iranian officers have been in common contact.
Earlier than the outbreak of the latest 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 stated he believed Tehran might resolve its variations with the US via dialogue, however belief could be a problem after the assaults on his nation.
In an article printed by the Monetary Instances earlier on Tuesday, Araghchi accused Israel of preferring battle over diplomacy.
“Iran stays occupied with diplomacy, however we now have good purpose to have doubts about additional dialogue,” he wrote. “If there’s a need to resolve this amicably, the US ought to present real readiness for an equitable accord.”
