Saudi defence minister’s landmark visit to Tehran signals strengthened Iran-Saudi ties
By Nadine Osman
(AA, IRNA, CNN, The Muslim News):
In a major diplomatic breakthrough reflecting shifting regional dynamics, Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, met with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in Tehran on Thursday. Delivering a message from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince Khalid reaffirmed Riyadh’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Iran.
Prince Khalid’s visit marks the first by a senior Saudi royal to Iran in decades. The last such visit occurred in 1997, when King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz (then Crown Prince) travelled to Tehran during the presidency of reformist Mohammad Khatami. Prince Khalid is the son of King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
During the high-level meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei welcomed the improving ties, stating that “relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia will benefit both nations” and that the two countries “can complement each other.” Acknowledging external resistance to the rapprochement, he noted, “The enhancement of ties between Tehran and Riyadh faces opposition,” but assured, “Iran is fully prepared to do so.” Emphasising regional cooperation, he added, “It is far better for brothers to help each other than to rely on outsiders.”
Highlighting Iran’s advancements across various sectors, Khamenei said the Islamic Republic stood ready to support Saudi Arabia where possible.
Prince Khalid, leading a high-ranking military delegation, underscored the significance of the visit in a post on X, writing: “We discussed our bilateral relations and topics of mutual interest.” He also met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to explore avenues for cooperation and to address regional and international developments.
In talks with the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Baqeri—who is also a senior officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), designated as a terrorist organisation by Saudi Arabia—Prince Khalid reiterated the Kingdom’s intention to expand ties:
“I am in Tehran with the intention to expand relations and cooperation with Iran across all areas,” he said. “God willing, the outcome of these good relations will benefit both our countries and the wider region.”
According to Iranian news outlet IRNA, the two senior defence officials discussed “developing defence relations and regional cooperation to strengthen peace and stability in the region, as well as combating terrorism.”
General Baqeri echoed the sentiment, stating that enhanced military ties would “bring despair and hopelessness to our enemies and joy to our friends.” He thanked Saudi Arabia for participating as an observer in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Maritime Exercise—IMEX 2024—hosted by Iran, Russia, and Oman. The multilateral exercise included delegations from Saudi Arabia, India, Thailand, Pakistan, Qatar, and Bangladesh.
Reaffirming Tehran’s regional policy, Baqeri said, “The policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is based on developing relations with its neighbours,” adding that strengthened military cooperation could serve as a positive precedent for regional security.
Addressing broader geopolitical challenges, Baqeri warned of the “destructive role of the Zionist regime” and praised Saudi Arabia’s stance on Palestine. “All Islamic countries need unity, empathy, and a unified position to confront the crimes of the Zionist regime,” he said.
Prince Khalid expressed appreciation for the Iranian hospitality, stating, “Your hospitality reflects the very good relations between us.” He added, “The important relations between the two countries have a great impact on ensuring the security of the region,” and extended an invitation to General Baqeri to visit Saudi Arabia—signalling a further step towards institutionalising the dialogue.
This marks the second high-level Saudi defence visit to Tehran since the resumption of diplomatic ties. The timing is particularly significant, coming just ahead of a second round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States in Rome on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. These follow earlier “positive and constructive” discussions held in Oman last Saturday.
The visit comes at a sensitive moment as Tehran continues indirect talks with the United States aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear agreement. The negotiations unfold amid threats by both the US and Israel to target Iran’s nuclear facilities if diplomacy fails. Iran has warned that any such attack could spark a broader regional war. While the US maintains a military presence in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Gulf states, Saudi Arabia has been cautious not to be drawn into potential escalation.
On a parallel diplomatic track, Russian President Vladimir Putin received Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow on Thursday. While Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the meeting, no further details were disclosed. As a key signatory to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Russia continues to play a central role in efforts to revive the nuclear accord, which the United States unilaterally withdrew from in 2018.
Riyadh severed diplomatic relations with Tehran in 2016 after Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy following the execution of prominent Shi’a cleric Nimr al-Nimr in Saudi Arabia. For years, the two countries were locked in a proxy conflict, particularly in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia backed the internationally recognised government, and Iran supported the Ansar Allah (Houthi) rebels.
However, relations began to thaw in recent years, culminating in the landmark China-brokered “Beijing Agreement” of March 2023, which set both countries on a path to normalisation.
Notably, Saudi Arabia and Iran conducted their first-ever joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Oman in October last year. The following month, Saudi Arabia’s armed forces chief, Fayyad al-Ruwaili, visited Tehran for talks with his Iranian counterpart.
In the wake of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, Gulf Arab states—including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar—reportedly conveyed to both Washington and Tehran that they would not permit Israel to use their airspace for strikes on Iranian targets.
As the region faces persistent security challenges, the evolving Iran-Saudi partnership reflects a shared interest in regional stability, pragmatic diplomacy, and reduced dependency on external powers.
[Photo: Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, meets with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and delivered a letter from King Salman bin Abdulaziz, in Tehran on April 17, 2025. Photo: Iranian Leader Press Office/AA]
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