Iranian Foreign Minister meets Saudi Crown Prince as regional tension mounts

Abbas Araghchi is in Riyadh as the Middle East braces for Israeli retaliation against Tehran's ballistic missile barrage

The official Saudi Press Agency posted photos of Abbas Araghchi and Crown Prince Mohammed sitting together on X. EPA

Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Wednesday as tension increases in the Middle East over an expected retaliation by Israel against Tehran's ballistic missile barrage last week.

Mr Araghchi also met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan for discussions in which they called for an end to the wars in Gaza and Lebanon. The two ministers held "useful and constructive talks on the latest developments in the region and the situation in Gaza and Lebanon", Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said in a statement.

"They stressed that war in Gaza and Lebanon must stop and humanitarian assistance must be allowed to be provided to refugees and displaced persons immediately," Mr Baghaei added.

The official Saudi Press Agency posted photos on social media platform X of Mr Araghchi and the Crown Prince seated together.

Riyadh is the first stop on a tour of Gulf states by Mr Araghchi. He later arrived in Qatar, Iranian state media said.

Before his trip, Mr Baghaei said the tour aimed to enhance Iran's “diplomatic efforts, in co-ordination with countries of the region, to stop the Israeli regime's genocide and aggression, and to alleviate the pain and suffering of our brothers and sisters in Gaza and Lebanon”.

“Carnage and aggression must be stopped,” he said on X.

The state-run Islamic Republic News Agency said Mr Araghchi would “discuss important issues in the region that include supporting the people of Palestine and Lebanon” as well as sending urgent humanitarian aid to both places.

Iran has repeatedly accused Israel of committing genocide and war crimes in Gaza since the conflict began, and has described the October 7 attacks on Israel carried out by militant group Hamas as “a turning point in the history of the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people”.

During a visit to Beirut last week, Mr Araghchi said Tehran supported efforts for a simultaneous ceasefire in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon.

Last week, Iran launched a barrage of between 180 and 200 ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for the assassination of the leader of Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran. Israel said several airbases had been hit but the attack appeared to do little damage to infrastructure, with military operations unaffected. Israel has threatened to retaliate, leaving the region on edge.

After the missile attack, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Prince Faisal in Doha to discuss the developments. Saudi Arabia is searching for ways to prevent a major escalation, sources said.

Mr Araghchi's visit to Saudi Arabia is part of efforts to strengthen relations between Tehran and Riyadh after a historic China-brokered agreement in March 2023, when diplomatic ties were restored after a seven-year rift. Both countries have since expressed interest in advancing co-operation on security and economic development in a region plagued by decades of conflict and instability.

"The two ministers also reviewed the latest status of bilateral relations, and reaffirmed their shared determination to continue improving relations in political, security and economic areas," Mr Baghaei said.