Saudi crown prince and Iranian president discuss Gaza military escalation
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman engaged in a telephone conversation on Wednesday, marking their first communication since a China-brokered agreement between Tehran and Riyadh aimed at reestablishing diplomatic ties.
This conversation between the two leaders unfolded against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Israel had recently carried out air strikes in the Gaza Strip in response to a deadly attack by Hamas within its borders.
According to Iranian state media, Raisi and the Saudi crown prince discussed the imperative need to bring an end to the war crimes being committed against Palestine.
On the Saudi side, the Crown Prince conveyed the Kingdom's commitment to making every possible effort to engage with international and regional stakeholders in an attempt to quell the ongoing escalation. Saudi state news agency SPA reported that he also emphasized Saudi Arabia's unequivocal rejection of any form of civilian targeting.
The resumption of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, facilitated by a deal brokered by China in March, marked a pivotal moment in the region. It put an end to seven years of hostilities that had posed a threat to Gulf stability and regional security, contributing to conflicts in various parts of the Middle East, ranging from Yemen to Syria.
In response to this conversation between Raisi and the Crown Prince, a senior U.S. State Department official affirmed that the United States, a staunch supporter of Israel in its stance against Hamas, maintains constant communication with Saudi leaders.
The official further indicated that the US is urging its partners with connections or relations with Hamas, Lebanon's Hezbollah, or Iran to encourage Hamas to cease its attacks, release hostages, prevent Hezbollah from getting involved, and keep Iran from becoming embroiled in the conflict.
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