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Iran FM to Visit Saudi Arabia to Avert Major Regional Military Escalation

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks during a press conference after his meeting with Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks during a press conference after his meeting with Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP)
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Iran FM to Visit Saudi Arabia to Avert Major Regional Military Escalation

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks during a press conference after his meeting with Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks during a press conference after his meeting with Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP)

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will arrive in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Wednesday morning as part of a regional tour aimed at averting a major regional military escalation.

He is scheduled to meet with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.

Iran’s ISNA news agency said Araqchi’s tour will focus on regional issues and efforts to end the “Israeli crimes” in Gaza and Lebanon.

Political Science Professor Dr. Saleh al-Khathlan said the Riyadh visit aims to avert a regional escalation.

Saudi Arabia will employ its efforts with regional and world partners to prevent the region from being dragged to a dangerous military confrontation, he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“Iran is in a very difficult position and it needs countries with political regional weight, such as Saudi Arabia, to help it out of the crisis it has found itself in,” he explained.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency quoted Araqchi as saying that after consultations in New York and Doha, and trips to Beirut and Damascus, “I will continue these visits and head to Saudi Arabia and regional countries to seek measures to stop these crimes.”

The consultations are ongoing to stop the crimes and condemn Israel, he added.

“Iran has repeatedly said it does not want war, even though we do not fear it,” he declared.

“We are prepared for any scenario and all necessary targets have been decided. Our policy aims to end the conflicts and reach an acceptable truce,” the FM said.

Al-Khathlan noted that Araqchi is carrying out his tour in wake of the latest escalation in the region and the possibility that Israel could launch destructive attacks against Iran after its ballistic missile strikes last week.

Iran is facing major dangers and so the FM will focus with Saudi officials on averting escalation, he added.

Tehran fully realizes that Riyadh, given its strong ties with regional and international players, can assume a pivotal role in restoring calm and preventing the spillover of the conflict into the region, he stressed.

Ultimately, however, the success of regional efforts lies in the hands of the Israeli government and its American backer, he noted.

At the moment, the United States is preoccupied with its presidential elections and any uncalculated action may hamper the chances of Joe Biden’s successor, Kamala Harris, in becoming president, Al-Khathlan said.

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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.