Saudi Crown Prince Hosts Iran’s Top Diplomat in Landmark Visit After Air War with Israel

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday, marking the Iranian diplomat’s first visit to the kingdom since Iran’s recent air conflict with Israel.

According to Saudi state news agency SPA, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and key developments across the region.

The visit follows a fragile de-escalation in tensions after a 12-day air war between Iran and Israel in June, dubbed Operation Rising Lion. The meeting signals a continued thaw in ties between Riyadh and Tehran after years of rivalry.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei described Araghchi’s talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman as “fruitful,” in a post on X.

Before arriving in Saudi Arabia, Araghchi was on a diplomatic tour that included a stop in Brazil. Iranian officials had stated the visit would focus on promoting peace and regional security.

The meeting comes amid shifting dynamics in the Gulf, where regional powers are recalibrating alliances and emphasizing diplomacy after recent military escalations.