On October 3, 2024, in Doha, Qatar, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held a significant meeting aimed at improving bilateral relations and addressing escalating regional tensions. The discussions focused on the necessity of setting aside differences to foster cooperation between the two nations.
Pezeshkian expressed optimism about the growing momentum in Iran-Saudi relations and emphasized Iran's commitment to enhancing interactions across various sectors. He also addressed recent Iranian missile attacks on Israel, asserting that Iran does not support further escalation of tensions in West Asia.
Highlighting the plight of Palestinians and Lebanese due to Israeli attacks, Pezeshkian called for greater unity among Muslim countries to counteract these aggressions and prevent the conflict from spreading to other Islamic states. He underscored Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in advocating for an end to Israeli 'crimes' through dialogue with Western nations.
In response, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud reaffirmed his country's determination to develop its relationship with Iran, stating, 'We seek to close the chapter of differences between our two countries forever and work towards solving our problems as friendly and brotherly states.' He acknowledged the 'sensitive and critical' situation in West Asia due to Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to address these challenges.
This meeting marks a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to stabilize relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, with potential implications for broader regional dynamics and international relations.