Saudi Arabia’s defence minister met with senior Iranian officials in Tehran on Thursday, days before Iran is due to hold a second round of talks with the US over the Islamic republic’s nuclear programme.
Prince Khalid bin Salman — a younger brother of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto leader — is the highest level Saudi royal to visit Iran in decades. His trip comes amid fears among Arab states about the risk of renewed conflict in the region if diplomatic efforts fail to resolve the escalating stand-off between Iran and the US.
“Saudi is clearly sending a message to Tehran that it will not be a conduit in any fashion towards an attack on Iran,” said Ali Shihabi, a Saudi commentator close to the royal court. “The kingdom supports President [Donald] Trump’s efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the nuclear crisis, and doesn’t want a war.”