Saudi crown prince receives phone call from Iranian president

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian Sunday evening, the latest move reflecting the two countries' slow rapprochement since a deal last year to restore ties.

Tehran and Riyadh's relations have cautiously improved since the China-brokered deal was announced in 2023, after a rupture of seven years that saw both countries at loggerheads in several military conflicts in the region.

During the call, Pezeshkian praised Saudi Arabia's initiative to host a joint Arab-Islamic follow-up summit to discuss the Israeli aggression towards the Palestinian Territories and Lebanon, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said.

They also discussed ways to enhance bilateral ties, it added.

Also on Sunday, the Saudi military chief of staff visited Iran for talks with his counterpart, the kingdom's Ministry of Defence said.

It remains to be seen how this rapprochement could affect Riyadh's ties with Washington after President-elect Donald Trump takes office next year. During his previous term as president, Trump said Saudi Arabia is an ally in the fight against Iran.

Saudi Arabia was planning to normalize relations with Israel over a year ago in what was seen as a historic development that could profoundly alter politics in the Middle East after years of tension between the kingdom and Iran.

However, talks have stalled amid Israel's war in Gaza.

Arab and Muslim leaders are convening in Riyadh on Monday, for the second year, focusing on Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon.