In a significant diplomatic move, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud met his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi in Makkah on Tuesday. The meeting was confirmed by Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and focused on improving ties and regional peace.
According to the SPA, both ministers discussed current developments in the Middle East, including concerns around ongoing tensions. They also talked about ways to enhance cooperation and reduce conflicts in the region. This meeting comes as part of continuing efforts to restore trust between the two rival powers.
The Iranian foreign ministry earlier said that Minister Araqchi was visiting Saudi Arabia on his return from Brazil, where he had been on an official tour. His stopover aimed to promote regional stability, peace, and better coordination on mutual interests.
However, Saudi Arabia also issued a strong statement earlier this week, condemning Iran’s alleged “unjustifiable aggression” in Qatar. Riyadh expressed full support for Qatar and urged Iran to show restraint, highlighting the fragile state of regional security.
Despite this tension, the meeting in Makkah shows both nations’ willingness to keep diplomatic channels open. With recent efforts to rebuild ties since their 2023 normalization agreement, both governments are now trying to find common ground, even as differences remain.