Latest news with #IranSaudiRelations
Arab News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Iranian Ambassador: Saudi Arabia Played Key Role in Preventing Escalation
Nearly two years after Iran and Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic relations, Iran's Ambassador to the Kingdom, Dr. Alireza Enayati, praised Riyadh's role in reducing tensions and fostering dialogue. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Enayati described the progress as 'equivalent to achievements that typically take years,' underscoring what he called the 'deep roots and substance' of the relationship. Enayati, who first served in Saudi Arabia as Iran's consul in Jeddah in 1990 and later as chargé d'affaires in Riyadh, returned in 2023 as ambassador following the March agreement brokered by China to resume ties after seven years of rupture. Commenting on recent Israeli strikes against Iran, Enayati called the attacks 'blatant aggression,' noting that they took place while Tehran was engaged in indirect negotiations with Washington. 'Iran was attacked in the middle of the night, while people slept in their homes. It was our legitimate right under the UN Charter to respond decisively and demonstrate that while Iran does not seek war, it will defend itself with strength and resolve,' he said. He emphasized that regional reactions to the escalation highlighted a spirit of solidarity. 'The first call our Foreign Minister received was from Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, condemning the attacks, followed by a statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry,' he noted. 'These positions were crowned by a phone call from His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to President Pezeshkian, expressing condemnation and solidarity, followed by President Pezeshkian's call back to the Crown Prince and statements of support from several Gulf states.' Enayati commended Riyadh's efforts to de-escalate the crisis, describing Saudi Arabia's role as 'honorable' and 'blessed.' He added, 'In all our bilateral discussions, Iran has acknowledged the Kingdom's constructive stance and its efforts to prevent further aggression. We welcome any role by our Saudi brothers, especially His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed, who has always stood by us.' The ambassador pointed to the revival of travel and religious exchange as a sign of rapprochement. 'This year alone, over 200,000 Iranians have performed Umrah, and when including Hajj pilgrims, the number exceeds 400,000 visitors to the Kingdom - an extremely positive indicator,' he said. Enayati also highlighted the recent visit of Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to Tehran, describing it as a 'historic turning point' that shifted relations from routine to strategic. 'The visit and the meetings with President Pezeshkian and the Supreme Leader left a strong impression that we are partners in building regional stability,' he said. While acknowledging significant progress, Enayati stressed that economic and trade relations still require more effort. 'We have agreements on trade, investment, culture, and youth reaffirmed in the Beijing accord,' he said, adding that talks are under way on agreements to avoid double taxation, promote mutual investment, and develop overland transport corridors linking Saudi Arabia and its neighbors to Central Asia. Responding to criticism that Iran plays a destabilizing role, Enayati said: 'We are not outsiders imposing our presence. We are part of the region, its people, and its culture. Differences in political perspectives do not erase our shared bonds. Dialogue is the only path forward, and there is no substitute.' He concluded by emphasizing that genuine regional security must be anchored in development and economic cooperation rather than military competition. 'When security moves beyond weapons and geopolitics to focus on prosperity and shared progress, everyone benefits,' he said.
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Iranian Ambassador: Saudi Arabia Played Key Role in Preventing Escalation
Nearly two years after Iran and Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic relations, Iran's Ambassador to the Kingdom, Dr. Alireza Enayati, praised Riyadh's role in reducing tensions and fostering dialogue. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Enayati described the progress as 'equivalent to achievements that typically take years,' underscoring what he called the 'deep roots and substance' of the relationship. Enayati, who first served in Saudi Arabia as Iran's consul in Jeddah in 1990 and later as chargé d'affaires in Riyadh, returned in 2023 as ambassador following the March agreement brokered by China to resume ties after seven years of rupture. Commenting on recent Israeli strikes against Iran, Enayati called the attacks 'blatant aggression,' noting that they took place while Tehran was engaged in indirect negotiations with Washington. 'Iran was attacked in the middle of the night, while people slept in their homes. It was our legitimate right under the UN Charter to respond decisively and demonstrate that while Iran does not seek war, it will defend itself with strength and resolve,' he said. He emphasized that regional reactions to the escalation highlighted a spirit of solidarity. 'The first call our Foreign Minister received was from Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, condemning the attacks, followed by a statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry,' he noted. 'These positions were crowned by a phone call from His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to President Pezeshkian, expressing condemnation and solidarity, followed by President Pezeshkian's call back to the Crown Prince and statements of support from several Gulf states.' Enayati commended Riyadh's efforts to de-escalate the crisis, describing Saudi Arabia's role as 'honorable' and 'blessed.' He added, 'In all our bilateral discussions, Iran has acknowledged the Kingdom's constructive stance and its efforts to prevent further aggression. We welcome any role by our Saudi brothers, especially His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed, who has always stood by us.' The ambassador pointed to the revival of travel and religious exchange as a sign of rapprochement. 'This year alone, over 200,000 Iranians have performed Umrah, and when including Hajj pilgrims, the number exceeds 400,000 visitors to the Kingdom - an extremely positive indicator,' he said. Enayati also highlighted the recent visit of Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to Tehran, describing it as a 'historic turning point' that shifted relations from routine to strategic. 'The visit and the meetings with President Pezeshkian and the Supreme Leader left a strong impression that we are partners in building regional stability,' he said. While acknowledging significant progress, Enayati stressed that economic and trade relations still require more effort. 'We have agreements on trade, investment, culture, and youth reaffirmed in the Beijing accord,' he said, adding that talks are under way on agreements to avoid double taxation, promote mutual investment, and develop overland transport corridors linking Saudi Arabia and its neighbors to Central Asia. Responding to criticism that Iran plays a destabilizing role, Enayati said: 'We are not outsiders imposing our presence. We are part of the region, its people, and its culture. Differences in political perspectives do not erase our shared bonds. Dialogue is the only path forward, and there is no substitute.' He concluded by emphasizing that genuine regional security must be anchored in development and economic cooperation rather than military competition. 'When security moves beyond weapons and geopolitics to focus on prosperity and shared progress, everyone benefits,' he said.
Asharq Al-Awsat
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Foreign Minister, Iranian Counterpart Hold Talks
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Saturday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the ministry's Makkah Region branch. The two officials discussed strengthening bilateral relations across various sectors, as well as the latest regional developments. Iran's ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati told Asharq Al-Awsat that Araghchi briefed Prince Faisal on the talks with the United States hosted by Oman. He added that Araghchi's visit comes within the framework of ongoing consultations between the two countries in various fields, including regional issues, matters of mutual interest, and the nuclear talks.
News24
09-05-2025
- Politics
- News24
Iran top diplomat to visit Saudi, Qatar before Trump tour
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar for talks ahead of US President Trump's Middle East tour. Araghchi aims to discuss regional concerns over nuclear negotiations and promote Arab-Iranian dialogue. Iran warned against renaming the Persian Gulf, calling it a 'hostile' act amid sensitive US-Iran talks. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Saturday, his ministry said, days before US President Donald Trump begins a regional tour. Araghchi is due to hold talks with senior Saudi officials in Riyadh before heading to Doha for a conference on Arab-Iranian dialogue, ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said in a statement. The Iranian top diplomat later said meetings in Saudi Arabia would cover the latest on the nuclear talks with the United States. 'We believe that the sustainability of any possible agreement depends to a large extent on taking into account the considerations and concerns of the countries of the region in the nuclear field and the common interests of Iran and them,' said Araghchi in a video carried by local media. Trump is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from 13 to 16 May on the first major Middle East trip of his second term. In Riyadh, he is expected to meet leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, a source close to the Saudi government told AFP earlier this month. The visit follows three rounds of US-Iran negotiations over the Islamic republic's nuclear programme. A fourth-round has been scheduled for Sunday. The talks mark the highest-level contact between the two sides since Washington withdrew from a landmark nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018, during Trump's first term. On Wednesday, Trump said he would decide how the United States would officially refer to the Gulf, after US media reported he might call it the Gulf of Arabia instead of the Persian Gulf. Iran condemned the idea, with Araghchi saying any attempt to change the name would reflect 'hostile intent toward Iran and its people'.
