Iran and Saudi Arabia Meet Amidst Fragile Truce
In a significant step towards regional de-escalation, Iranian and Saudi officials convened to discuss regional stability, following a tense period marked by conflict between Iran and Israel.
High-Level Discussions
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, expressed hope that the current ceasefire would foster stability in the region. He also emphasized the importance of diplomacy in resolving disputes, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry. The ministry shared the details of the meeting in a post on X.
#KSA Crown Prince holds meeting with Iranian FM and says the Kingdom hopes the truce would contribute to regional stability, and stressed on the Kingdom’s firm position in supporting dialogue through diplomatic means as a path to resolving disputes. https://t.co/OY9jWIz4jj
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) July 10, 2025
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly conveyed his gratitude to Riyadh for condemning Israel’s strikes against Iran last month, according to the Saudi ministry.
Recent Hostilities
Tensions flared last month when Israel launched a bombing campaign targeting Iranian military, nuclear, and residential sites. Tehran reported over 1,000 casualties, including high-ranking military officials and nuclear scientists.
In response, Iran launched drone and missile attacks against Israel, resulting in at least 28 deaths, according to Israeli authorities.
U.S. Involvement and Sanctions
The United States, which had been engaged in nuclear program talks with Iran since April, also conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear sites on June 22. Currently, those talks have stalled. However, a ceasefire between Iran and Israel has been holding since June 24. In fact, a recent study by the Brookings Institute shows that de-escalation talks often follow periods of heightened military action (Brookings Institute).
Furthermore, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on 22 companies in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Türkiye for allegedly facilitating Iranian oil sales.
Historical Context
Iran and Saudi Arabia, influential players in the Middle East, have historically supported opposing sides in regional conflicts, including those in Syria and Yemen.
Diplomatic relations between the two nations were severed in 2016 but were re-established in 2023 through a China-brokered agreement.
Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of the Israeli strikes as “aggressions”
and a “clear violation of international laws”
marked a notable shift in its regional diplomacy.
Riyadh also voiced its “great concern”
following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei noted that Araghchi had engaged in “fruitful conversations”
with Prince Mohammed, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and Defence Minister Prince Khaled bin Salman, focusing on bilateral relations and regional developments.
