Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman arrived in Tehran on Thursday for high-level meetings, marking a significant diplomatic step ahead of scheduled US-Iran nuclear talks in Rome this weekend.
According to Iranian state media, the Saudi official delivered a message from King Salman bin Abdulaziz to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. While the content of the message was not disclosed, the visit is widely viewed as a symbol of improving relations between the two regional powers.
“Our belief is that the relationship between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia is beneficial for both countries,” Khamenei said, reaffirming Tehran’s willingness to resolve any obstacles in bilateral ties.
The two countries had been long-time rivals, with tensions often escalating across the region. However, in 2023, a China-brokered agreement led to the restoration of diplomatic relations, ending years of hostility that had impacted regional stability and fueled conflicts from Yemen to Syria.
In a statement released by Saudi Arabia’s state news agency, Riyadh welcomed the upcoming US-Iran nuclear discussions, expressing support for peaceful dialogue to resolve regional and global disputes.
Following his meeting with Prince Khalid, Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, Mohammad Bagheri, stated that military relations between the two nations have improved since the Beijing agreement.
This visit could mark a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern diplomacy, as both powers appear to be aligning on key regional issues ahead of renewed nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
