Iranian state media reported that Bagheri held a phone call with Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud last year to discuss regional developments and improve defence cooperation between the two countries.
Riyadh: In a step that could change the dynamics of the Middle-east forever, the General Chief of Staff of Saudi Arabia’s Armed Forces, Fayyad al-Ruwaili, visited Iran last week to meet with his Iranian counterpart. The high-level visit from the Saudi Chief follows the election of Donald Trump, who will take office for a second term as US President in January next year. Readers must note that after seven years of hostility that had threatened stability and security in the Gulf, Tehran and Riyadh agreed to re-establish relations in March 2023.
Saudi Arabia has not established ties with Israel, but Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner has discussed the possibility with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman multiple times over the last years, a source familiar with the discussions told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
Iranian state media reported that Bagheri held a phone call with Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud last year to discuss regional developments and improve defence cooperation between the two countries.
Saudi condemns on-going Israeli offensive in Gaza
State leaders met in Riyadh on Monday (November 11) for an Arab and Islamic summit on the situation in Gaza and Lebanon, with the aim of unifying visions and positions and following up on the outcomes of a similar joint summit held last year before the conflict in the region expanded.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in his opening speech, “the Kingdom renews its call and categorical rejection of the genocide committed by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people.”
Late in October, the Saudi Foreign Minister called for an immediate ceasefire during a ‘Global Alliance’ meeting that was held in Riyadh in a push for a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The war in Gaza erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas gunmen attacked Israeli communities, killing around 1,200 people and seizing another 253 hostages, by Israeli tallies. Israel’s military campaign has levelled much of Gaza and killed around 43,500 Palestinians, Palestinian health officials say.
(With inputs from agencies)