Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman has arrived in Tehran for a significant diplomatic visit, just days before a new round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States is set to take place in Rome.
During his trip, Prince Khalid delivered a letter from King Salman bin Abdulaziz to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Iranian state media. The contents of the message were not disclosed. Both Prince Khalid and Khamenei confirmed the meeting on social media, though neither elaborated on the specifics.
The Saudi minister also held discussions with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri. Topics included bilateral relations and efforts to boost cooperation between Riyadh and Tehran. Prince Khalid noted that they also discussed regional and global issues of mutual concern.
Khamenei was quoted as saying that strengthening relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia is in the interest of both nations. He expressed Tehran’s willingness to overcome challenges in the relationship.
The visit comes as Iran and the United States prepare for their second round of indirect nuclear talks in Rome, focusing on Iran’s uranium enrichment activities. While some experts remain hopeful about the possibility of a deal, they believe Iran is unlikely to agree to a complete dismantling of its nuclear capabilities.
Bagheri, after meeting with Prince Khalid, emphasized that regional security is a shared strategic priority. He highlighted Iran’s commitment to enhancing ties with neighboring countries and stressed the importance of expanding cooperation between the armed forces of both nations as a basis for wider regional engagement.
This marks the second high-level Saudi military visit to Tehran since the two nations restored diplomatic ties in 2023 through a China-brokered agreement. The reconciliation followed years of tension, particularly after the 2016 attack on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran during protests over the execution of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr by Saudi authorities.
In a separate statement, Saudi Arabia voiced support for the upcoming Iran-US nuclear discussions and reiterated its commitment to regional stability through diplomatic engagement.
