Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, met with Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, in Riyadh on October 9 to discuss regional security issues and enhance bilateral relations.

This meeting occurs amidst heightened tensions in the region and is regarded as a significant step in ongoing efforts to stabilise the area, particularly in light of escalating conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.

According to the Saudi Gazette, the high-level talks between the two regional powers focused on addressing the latest developments in the Middle East. Both sides reiterated the necessity for stronger collaboration to ensure regional security and stability, with an emphasis on preventing further violence in the conflict zones. The Crown Prince underscored Riyadh's commitment to working with Tehran to achieve these shared objectives.

Earlier in the day, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held separate discussions with Araqchi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Riyadh. Their conversations covered a broad range of topics, including efforts to enhance cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Iran in various fields. Both ministers stressed the importance of maintaining open dialogue to foster peace and stability in the region.

Speaking to the Iranian state news agency ISNA, Araqchi condemned Israeli attacks on civilians and infrastructure in both conflict zones, urging a collective response from regional countries.

"Our dialogue aims to prevent the continuation of Israel’s shameless crimes in Lebanon and Gaza. I will continue my regional tour to meet with other leaders and seek a united effort to stop the brutal attacks," Araqchi was quoted as saying.

Araqchi's regional visit includes stops in Qatar, where he is expected to continue discussions on Gaza and Lebanon with leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).