Iranian FM meets Saudi royals amid push for nuclear talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Saudi Arabia, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Mecca, Al-Monitor reported on July 8th.
The trip marked Araghchi’s second visit to Saudi Arabia since May, as Saudi Arabia intensifies its diplomatic outreach on the Iranian nuclear issue and the war in Gaza.
The Saudi government said Crown Prince Mohammed used the meeting to express hope that the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran would “enhance security and stability in the region.” Araghchi, according to a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement, “expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom for its position in condemning the Israeli aggression.”
Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported that Araghchi and Saudi officials discussed “bilateral ties, recent developments in the region and issues of mutual interest.” Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed they reviewed “efforts addressed to achieve security and stability.”
In recent diplomatic efforts, Prince Khalid held closed-door negotiations in Washington with US President Donald Trump and senior officials. Fox News reported the talks focused on reducing tensions with Iran and stopping the conflict in Gaza. Meanwhile, Prince Faisal travelled to Moscow for talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. The Russian Foreign Ministry said the meeting focused on “the recent dramatic escalation in relations between Iran and Israel.”
Araghchi’s visit followed Israeli and US strikes on Iran, and Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Israel and the US base at Al Udeid in Qatar. In response, Saudi Arabia condemned both Israeli and Iranian actions, calling them violations of international law.
Karen Young of the Middle East Institute described Saudi Arabia’s diplomacy as “strategic,” noting it aims to “keep lines of communication open” and “protect themselves” rather than shifting its position on Iran.
Al-Monitor, Maghrebi.org, Mehr News Agency
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