Saudi-Iran Military Talks Coincide With Riyadh Summit on Regional Conflicts
Arab and Muslim leaders gathered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday to address the violence in Gaza and Lebanon, with discussions focusing on a coordinated response to what was described as Israeli “aggression” in Palestinian territories. The high-level summit, preceded by a preparatory meeting chaired by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, was part of a renewed regional effort to tackle the ongoing conflicts and strengthen diplomatic ties.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a call from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ahead of the meeting, with Pezeshkian expressing hope for the summit’s success.
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Concurrently, Saudi military chief Fayyad Al-Ruwaili met with Iran’s Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri in Tehran to explore defense cooperation, marking another step in the ongoing rapprochement between the two countries. This dialogue aimed to bolster military and defense relations and potentially contribute to regional stability, according to Saudi and Iranian defense statements.
In addition to regional leaders, attendees at the summit included Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The gathering builds on previous diplomatic efforts, such as the formation of a Gaza Contact Group by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 2022, which featured members like Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar. Saudi Arabia’s efforts to host such a summit reflect its broader diplomatic aspirations and the recent reestablishment of ties with Iran through Chinese mediation, though key issues like Yemen remain unresolved.
