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In a significant diplomatic engagement, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Their conversation comes against the backdrop of Israel’s retaliatory air strikes in Gaza, following an attack by Hamas militants.

During their dialogue, the emphasis was on a “need to end war crimes against Palestine,” as reported by Iranian state media. Meanwhile, the Saudi crown prince underscored the Kingdom’s proactive efforts, stating they are “making all possible efforts in communicating with all international and regional parties to stop the ongoing escalation.” He further voiced Saudi Arabia’s firm stance against harming civilians, a sentiment echoed by the Saudi state news agency, SPA.

Saudi-Iran relations:
Reestablishing ties after a seven-year rift, Saudi Arabia and Iran embarked on a renewed diplomatic path earlier this year, with China mediating the reconciliation. This fresh start was significant, considering their past differences had contributed to regional instability, spurring conflicts from Yemen to Syria.

When inquired about the dialogue between Raisi and the crown prince, a senior US State Department official highlighted their unwavering support for Israel against Hamas. They further elaborated on US goals, stating they are in “constant contact with Saudi leaders,” urging allied nations with ties to Hamas, Hezbollah, or Iran “to get Hamas to stand down from its attacks, to release hostages, keep Hezbollah out (and) keep Iran out of the fray.”