JEDDAH: Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, has met with Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Jeddah. This marks Amir-Abdollahian’s first visit to Saudi Arabia since the two Middle Eastern rivals announced a surprise reconciliation. The two leaders deliberated on various subjects and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing their bilateral ties.
The discussions between the Iranian Foreign Minister and the Saudi Crown Prince covered various aspects, including reviewing bilateral relations, exploring opportunities for cooperation, and discussing regional and international developments.
It’s important to note that this meeting marks the first time a senior Iranian official has met with the Saudi Prince, who has introduced a series of reforms in Saudi Arabia.
Iran and Saudi Arabia had severed diplomatic ties since 2016, but in March 2023, they agreed to restore diplomatic relations with the help of a Chinese-brokered deal. This move sparked optimism as both countries have supported opposing sides in conflicts across the Middle East, including the conflict in Yemen.
During the visit, Amir-Abdollahian expressed that the ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia are moving in the right direction. He also indicated that his visit could be a precursor to a meeting between the two countries’ leaders, suggesting that Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi might travel to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of King Salman.
While no new agreements were announced during the meeting, Iran’s Foreign Minister highlighted economic and security cooperation between the two countries. He also proposed the idea of a “regional dialogue” to promote unity within the Islamic world.
Since the reconciliation deal in March, Saudi Arabia has been actively pursuing peace in Yemen, engaging in direct talks with Houthi leaders in Sanaa, and advocating for the return of Syria, an ally of Iran, to the Arab League.
