Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Visits Tehran in a Rare Diplomatic Move

World

In a rare diplomatic move, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud arrived in Tehran on Thursday, marking the first visit by a senior Saudi royal to Iran in decades. The meeting comes amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the United States.

During his visit, Prince Khalid met with Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, where discussions centered on defense relations, regional cooperation, and efforts to strengthen peace and stability in the region. Another major topic of the meeting was combating terrorism, according to Iranian news outlets.

This visit is especially notable as it is the first such visit since King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz visited Iran in 1997, marking a significant shift in the diplomatic engagement between the two countries. Prince Khalid is the son of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his visit underscores the importance of dialogue at the highest levels between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Saudi-Iranian Tensions and Proxy Wars

The meeting comes at a time when Saudi Arabia and Iran have long been regional rivals, with their relations having been severed in 2016 after Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran, following the execution of a Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia. Over the years, the two countries have fought a proxy war, particularly in Yemen.

Iran's Nuclear Program and US Threats

This visit also coincides with heightened tensions regarding Iran’s nuclear program, as Iran is currently engaged in nuclear negotiations with the United States. The US and Israel have both threatened military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities should talks fail, with Iran warning that such an attack could spark a broader regional conflict. The US maintains a significant military presence in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states near Iran.

Meeting Between Senior Military Figures

In addition to his meeting with General Bagheri, Prince Khalid’s visit underscores the importance of regional security cooperation between the two powers. Bagheri, also a senior officer in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is a key figure in Iran’s military operations. The IRGC is designated as a terrorist organization by Saudi Arabia.

The diplomatic encounter marks an important shift in Saudi-Iran relations, reflecting potential for renewed talks and cooperation despite their historical differences.