Saudi and Iranian Foreign Ministers Discuss Efforts to Reduce Regional Tensions

RIYADH, Aug 2: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed regional developments and diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions during a phone call on Sunday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said.

The two ministers reviewed the latest developments amid the current situation and discussed diplomatic efforts aimed at lowering escalation and promoting regional stability.

Prince Faisal reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to continuing its role in supporting security and stability in the region while protecting the shared interests of countries and peoples.

The talks come amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran following the collapse of a previous ceasefire arrangement and continued disputes over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.

The US and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire in April and later signed a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding in June aimed at ending their military confrontation and reaching a long-term peace agreement. However, the arrangement collapsed last month after renewed military strikes and retaliatory attacks in the region.

Washington has demanded that Iran stop attacks on vessels and guarantee freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran has called for a mechanism to regulate maritime traffic near its coastline.

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that he halted a planned military strike on Iran after Tehran and other regional countries requested additional time to finalize a peace framework. Iran, however, rejected the claim, with military officials calling it false and a source close to Iran’s negotiating team denying that any agreement had been reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.