By Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met in Riyadh on Wednesday to discuss regional developments, as reported by the Saudi State News Agency (SPA).
Saudi Arabia, a leading oil exporter, has been working towards a political rapprochement with Tehran in recent years, which has helped to ease some regional tensions, although challenges remain. Araqchi’s visit aims to address bilateral issues and efforts to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza. Upon his arrival in Riyadh, Araqchi expressed hope that these discussions would lead to improved conditions for Palestine and Lebanon, fostering peace in the region.
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated following an Iranian missile strike last week, which was a response to Israel’s actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon, amid a concurrent conflict in Gaza.
A Saudi analyst indicated that Riyadh will not permit the use of its airspace for attacks against Iran and will support calls for a ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated that Araqchi’s visit would focus on halting “the Israeli regime’s genocide & aggression” to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians and Lebanese.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza, initiated by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has seen Hezbollah also engaging in hostilities against northern Israel. Both groups are part of Iran’s “axis of resistance” in the region.
In remarks made in Beirut, Araqchi emphasized Tehran’s support for a simultaneous ceasefire in both Lebanon and Palestinian territories, labeling Hamas’s October 7 raid as a “turning point” in the Palestinian struggle.
Iran and Saudi Arabia resumed relations in March 2023 through a surprise deal brokered by China, following a seven-year diplomatic rupture. Since then, the two regional powers have increased their interactions, despite their differing positions in various conflicts, notably in Syria and Yemen.
As the Gaza conflict intensifies, Saudi Arabia has signaled its commitment to a pathway toward a Palestinian state as a condition for normalizing relations with Israel, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman underscoring the necessity of an “independent Palestinian state.”
