Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman arrived in Tehran on Thursday in a visit announced overnight. He is set to meet with Iranian officials just days before the next round of talks between Iranian and American delegations on the future of Iran’s nuclear program.
According to Iranian media, the Saudi minister was invited by Iran's Chief of the General Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri. The meetings are expected to focus on bilateral relations and regional cooperation to “promote peace and stability.”
This marks the first official visit to Iran by the Saudi defense minister, and the second by a senior Saudi military official in recent months. Saudi Arabia’s military chief, Air Chief Marshal Fayyadh Al Ruwaili, visited the Islamic Republic last year.
Despite the renewal of diplomatic ties between Riyadh and Tehran in 2023, Thursday’s visit is still considered significant. The Sunni kingdom and Shiite-led Iran have long been bitter regional rivals. Iran is the principal backer of the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have repeatedly attacked Saudi targets, including the major Aramco oil facility in 2019.
Even after restoring diplomatic relations, severed for seven years, Saudi Arabia has remained wary of Iran’s intentions and, like Israel, is concerned about its nuclear ambitions.
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Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major-General Mohammed Bagheri (L) greeting Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Tehran
(Photo: AFP)
Danny (Dennis) Citrinowicz, a research fellow in the Iran Program at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and a former member of the IDF’s military intelligence directorate, told Ynet the visit was notable — particularly in light of the U.S.-led campaign against the Houthis.
“This is the highest-level visit since Saudi Arabia and Iran began normalizing relations,” he said. “It’s important also because of the, perhaps unlikely, possibility of a ground incursion into the port of Hodeida by forces supported by Riyadh — and the significant American troop buildup in the Gulf and potential for a U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.”
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Qatari newspaper The New Arab reported Thursday that the internationally recognized Yemeni government, based in Aden and fighting the Houthi rebels who control Sanaa, has recently held intensive talks with the United States, the United Kingdom and other nations regarding a possible ground offensive.
Citrinowicz said the Saudi defense minister’s visit could be aimed at preserving coordination between Riyadh and Tehran, to avoid miscalculations and unintended escalation. He believes Saudi Arabia fears regional instability that could harm its interests if the U.S. or Israel attacks Iran.
“The Saudis want to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue peacefully,” Citrinowicz said. “They are deeply concerned about Iran’s nuclear program but would prefer a diplomatic agreement that distances Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and avoids war.”
He added that the Saudis are especially wary of a repeat of the 2019 Houthi drone attack that disrupted oil production. “They want to avoid an Iranian response and seek strategic clarity with Tehran, so that Iran understands they do not support any strike on its nuclear sites — not even indirectly,” he said.