TEHRAN – In a landmark diplomatic development, Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, arrived in Tehran on Thursday for a high-level visit not seen in decades. This rare trip marks the most senior visit by a Saudi royal to Iran since King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz’s visit in 1997.
The visit comes amid ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington over a new nuclear deal. According to Iranian state news agency ISNA, Prince Khalid is expected to hold talks with Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran’s Armed Forces. Discussions will reportedly center on strengthening defense ties, promoting regional peace and stability, and enhancing cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
Saudi state-run media confirmed that the two sides will conduct a series of meetings to advance bilateral relations and address shared concerns. This diplomatic engagement signals a major step in the warming of relations between the long-time regional rivals.
Tensions between Riyadh and Tehran reached a boiling point in 2016 when Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran following the execution of a Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia. Diplomatic ties were severed, and the two nations backed opposing factions in several proxy conflicts across the Middle East, particularly in Yemen.
In Yemen’s civil war, Saudi Arabia supported the internationally recognized government, while Iran aligned itself with Houthi rebels. The conflict has included missile attacks on Saudi and Emirati territory, targeting critical oil infrastructure.
However, the ice began to thaw two years ago when the two nations signed a groundbreaking normalization agreement brokered by China. Since then, both sides have taken gradual but deliberate steps toward reconciliation.
The visit by Prince Khalid follows a series of notable developments, including a joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Oman in October and a visit to Tehran by Saudi Arabia’s armed forces chief, Fayyad al-Ruwaili, in November.
This latest diplomatic engagement also takes place against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions. The U.S. and Israel have threatened to target Iran’s nuclear facilities should negotiations fail, while Iran has warned that any attack could spark a broader regional conflict.
Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, have expressed their desire to stay out of any direct confrontation, reportedly telling both the U.S. and Iran that they will not permit Israeli use of their airspace for potential strikes.
As the Middle East grapples with the shifting dynamics of regional alliances and power plays, this historic visit may signal a turning point in Saudi-Iranian relations—and a potential step toward a more stable and cooperative Gulf region.
Reference
Saudi Defense Minister Makes Historic Visit to Iran as Nuclear Talks Progress