Saudi Arabia confirms recent talks with Iran
Saudi Arabia held discussions with regional rival Tehran last month as talks to ease tensions continue under Iran s conservative President Ebrahim Raisi.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said on Sunday the fourth round of talks took place on September 21 .
These discussions are still in the exploratory phase_ and we hope that they lay the foundation to address issues between the two sides_ he said in Riyadh during a joint news conference with the European Union foreign policy chief_ Josep Borrell.
Prince Faisal did not disclose the location of the meeting or the level of representation_ while Borrell welcomed the talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Iran s foreign ministry spokesman on Monday said talks with Saudi Arabia are being followed up in Baghdad with the best conditions .
No pre-conditions have been set by either side for the talks_ Saeed Khatibzadeh told a press conference in Tehran_ adding that the negotiations have so far been mostly focused on bilateral ties_ but have also touched on regional issues.
Khatibzadeh also denied reports that a Saudi delegation has travelled to Tehran to prepare for reopening the Saudi embassy.
Iran and Saudi Arabia_ on opposing sides in multiple Middle East conflicts_ have been engaged in talks since April at the highest level since cutting ties in 2016.
The discussions were launched under Iran s former President Hassan Rouhani_ who was replaced in August by Raisi. The first three rounds of Saudi-Iranian talks were held in Iraq.
The talks have led to serious progress regarding Gulf security_ Tehran s foreign ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh said on September 23.
.png "Advertisement")
