Iran and Saudi Arabia Confirm Phone Call Amid Ongoing Tensions
The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia confirmed on Thursday that they had a phone conversation the night before. This marks the first known direct communication between the two nations since Iran began its recent bombing campaign against Saudi Arabia and its allies in March.
Since February 28, Iran has been engaged in a relentless missile and drone assault against Gulf states. This aggressive action followed President Donald Trump’s announcement of military operations aimed at neutralizing any threats from Iran. Known as Operation Epic Fury, this operation led to the deaths of several Iranian officials, including the leader, Ali Khamenei, and caused significant damage to Iran’s military infrastructure.
There seemed to be a temporary halt to hostilities on Tuesday night, when President Trump and the Pakistani government unveiled a two-week ceasefire intended to foster a more lasting peace. Trump highlighted that this agreement depended on Iran halting its attempts to intercept commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a move which had severely impacted Saudi Arabia’s oil sector. Meanwhile, Pakistan and Iran called for the ceasefire to also address Israel’s actions in Lebanon, but both Washington and Jerusalem dismissed any links to the original negotiations.
However, just hours before the ministers spoke, Saudi officials reported intercepting additional Iranian missiles that were aimed at civilian industrial sites.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry confirmed that Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had a conversation, although the ministry did not disclose the specifics of their discussion.
In their statement, the ministry noted, “During the telephone conversation, the two countries reviewed the latest developments and discussed ways to de-escalate tensions to restore security and stability in the region.”
The Iranian government also acknowledged the call, with the Tasnim News Agency noting that Araghchi expressed concerns about American “aggression.” However, it was unclear if the Saudi foreign minister made a similar complaint about Iran’s ongoing attacks.
In the aftermath of the ceasefire announcement, Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs remarked on Iran’s diplomatic approach. Tasnim reported Araghchi expressing disappointment in the lack of progress due to perceived American hostility during the nuclear negotiation process.
The emirate newspaper The National highlighted that this phone call was significant as it represented the first known interaction between the two countries since the outbreak of war. For years, Iran and Saudi Arabia have maintained tense relations, which briefly improved during former President Joe Biden’s administration, when he aimed to isolate the Saudi regime internationally. However, in 2023, following a strategic pivot towards China, Saudi Arabia signed a diplomatic agreement to normalize relations with Iran in Beijing.
This agreement seemed to unravel shortly after Operation Epic Fury commenced. In retaliation for initial U.S. actions, Iranian forces launched attacks on multiple nations, including Saudi Arabia, while claiming to target only American assets. Yet, many intercepted missiles and drones seemed to target oil and gas installations that had no ties to the U.S.
In late March, Saudi Arabia hosted a conference with other affected nations to denounce Iran’s actions and formulate a united response against Iranian aggression. During the event, Prince Faisal criticized the Iranian regime, indicating that amicable relations might not be achievable soon.
“What little trust there was before has been completely shattered,” he stated, adding that even if the conflict were to end, rebuilding trust would require significant time.
“If Iran does not stop immediately, there will be little to re-establish that trust,” he stressed.
By Wednesday, reports detailed Iranian airstrikes against Saudi Arabia, but by Thursday, the frequency of missile and drone activity directed at Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait had notably decreased. The Saudi foreign minister highlighted on Wednesday a hope that the recently announced ceasefire would prove effective. However, he also expressed that halting these attacks and ending threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz remained essential.
“Saudi Arabia emphasized the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to navigation in compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry communicated on Wednesday.
