In what may be another step in a growing thaw in Saudi-Iranian relations, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian visited Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and met with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Saud al Faisal.
In remarks to Reuters following the meeting, Abdollahian said that both countries agreed that “a new page” was needed in political relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. He also said that the meeting “took place in a very positive and constructive atmosphere.”
[Read the full report from Reuters]
According to the Saudi Gazette, Iran’s representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said the Saudi Foreign Minister and Abdollahian “discussed pressing regional developments and the fight against Islamic State militants.” The Saudi Gazette, quoting an official who sat in on the meeting, also noted that the two men discussed “relations between both ‘neighbors’, regional developments and ‘the challenges facing the region such as extremism and Israel’s aggression’ on Gaza Strip.”
Iran’s President Hassan Rohani called for stronger ties with Gulf nations in June, after a visit to Iran from the Emir of Kuwait Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah.
