Saudi defense minister arrives in Tehran ahead of Iran-US talks

Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, arrived in Tehran on Thursday for high-level meetings with Iranian officials, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

 The visit comes just days before scheduled discussions between Iran and the United States aimed at reviving negotiations over Iran’s controversial nuclear program.

The surprise trip by Prince Khalid underscores the ongoing thaw in relations between the regional rivals, following the Chinese-brokered agreement in 2023 that led to the resumption of diplomatic ties after years of hostility.

Although specific details about the minister’s agenda in Tehran remain undisclosed, analysts say the timing suggests Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a key regional player ahead of any potential agreement between Tehran and Washington.

Talks between the U.S. and Iran, expected over the weekend in a neutral location, are seen as a last-ditch effort to prevent further escalation over Iran’s expanding nuclear enrichment activities, which Western powers argue could lead to weaponization—an accusation Iran denies.

Riyadh, long critical of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, has recently adopted a more pragmatic approach, seeking regional de-escalation and focusing on economic transformation under its Vision 2030 strategy.

Prince Khalid’s visit marks a new chapter in the recalibration of Gulf diplomacy, as both Saudi Arabia and Iran explore avenues for coexistence amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East.