Saudi Defense Minister Visits Tehran Amid US-Iran Nuclear Tensions

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman visited Tehran and met with several Iranian officials on Thursday, ahead of a second round of talks between Washington and Tehran regarding Iran’s nuclear program, Al Jazeera reports.

The visit occurs amid heightened concerns about a potential conflict in the region, fueled by escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran if an agreement concerning its nuclear activities is not reached.

During Thursday’s meeting, Prince Khalid conveyed a message from Saudi Arabia’s King Salman to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“We discussed our bilateral relations and topics of mutual interest,” Prince Khalid wrote on X.

Iranian state media quoted Khamenei as saying that “Our belief is that the relationship between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia is beneficial for both countries.”

In addition to Khamenei, Prince Khalid also met with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, Mohammad Bagheri.

Saudi Arabia has expressed support for Iran’s nuclear talks with the US, indicating its willingness to see regional and international disputes resolved through diplomatic channels.

In 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia, with China’s mediation, agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations after years of strained relations that had contributed to instability and conflict across the Middle East, from Yemen to Syria.