Saudi-Iran talks signal regional tensions ease

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, the Saudi foreign ministry said Thursday, in the first official contact between the countries since Tehran launched strikes against its Gulf neighbours in retaliation for Israeli-American attacks. "The call focused on reviewing developments in the situation and ways to slow the pace of tensions so as to help restore security and stability in the region," the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement, which was issued the day after the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States. The Saudi foreign minister also received a series of phone calls from regional counterparts to discuss ongoing developments. Those who spoke with the Saudi foreign minister included Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Ayman Safadi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye Hakan Fidan. According to the statement, the calls addressed regional developments, with the participants welcoming all efforts aimed at achieving security and stability in the region. Saudi Arabia welcomed the ceasefire, with its foreign ministry expressing hope that it would lead to a "comprehensive and sustainable de-escalation". It further expressed the hope that the ceasefire would enhance regional security and halt "any aggression or policies that infringe upon the sovereignty, security and stability of the region's countries". As per the statement, Saudi Arabia called for an end to attacks on countries in the Gulf and stressed that the Strait of Hormuz should be opened. It also commended the "productive efforts" undertaken by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir in securing the two-week truce. A day earlier, in a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's welcome of the announcement by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of a ceasefire agreement between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. (With additional input from News Desk)