Iran, Saudi Arabia hold first diplomatic call since escalation

Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Foreign Minister of Iran Abbas Araghchi held their first official conversation since the recent escalation in the region, Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry confirmed on Thursday.

The call marks a significant diplomatic development after tensions surged following Iranian strikes on Gulf states, carried out in response to joint US and Israeli attacks. During the discussion, both sides reviewed the evolving situation and explored ways to ease tensions and restore stability across the region.

The contact comes shortly after the announcement of a two-week ceasefire involving the United States and Israel, which Saudi Arabia has publicly welcomed. Riyadh expressed hope that the truce would pave the way for broader de-escalation and long-term regional stability.

In the wake of the ceasefire, Prince Faisal also reached out to several regional counterparts, including officials from the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Türkiye, and Jordan, as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Saudi Arabia reiterated its call for an end to hostilities across the Gulf and accentuated the importance of maintaining open access to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. The kingdom also acknowledged the role of Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir in facilitating the recent ceasefire agreement.

Officials say the renewed diplomatic engagement signals cautious optimism, though challenges remain in achieving lasting peace in the region.