Iran's Foreign Minister holds talks with Saudi and Turkish officials

Turkish Foreign Minister also arrived in the Iranian capital on Sunday

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saud Al Sati with the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran. Photo: Irna

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday held separate meetings with a senior Saudi Foreign Ministry official and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Tehran.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said Mr Araghchi received its Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Saud Al Sati. It said they discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern.

The Iranian state news agency Irna said the Saudi official's visit is part of continuing diplomatic consultations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The minister's trip “aims to continue bilateral discussions and exchange views on regional developments, including the situation in occupied Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria”, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by Irna.

Such meetings were once rare but several have taken place since Saudi Arabia and Iran resumed diplomatic relations in 2023. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in September.

The Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, left, speaks to the press alongside Abbas Araghchi in Tehran. AP

Also on Sunday, Mr Araghchi met the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Speaking at a press conference following the meeting, Mr Fidan called for closer co-operation between Turkey and Iran in trade, energy, and regional security. “Trade and energy are top priorities, and we saw again today there is much more to be done,” Mr Fidan said.

He said the sides had agreed to improve border efficiency, increase the number of border gates, and work on logistics and transportation projects. “Our countries have large populations, close relations and high trade, but our trade needs to be more efficient,” he added.

The two ministers also discussed efforts to address irregular migration, particularly from Afghanistan. “We aim to tackle this issue together with Iran,” said Mr Fidan, who added that concrete co-operation is needed in the region.

The Turkish minister also welcomed Iran’s plan to open a new consulate in the province of Van in eastern Turkey.

On regional security, Mr Fidan said both countries view Israel as the greatest threat to stability in the Middle East, citing concerns over Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and broader Israeli expansionist policies. “The international community must fulfil its responsibilities,” he said.

Mr Fidan also reaffirmed Ankara’s support for Tehran during continuing nuclear negotiations and called for the lifting of “unrighteous” sanctions. Mr Araghchi said that Israel’s attacks on Syria and Lebanon shows that Israel has bigger plans to destabilise the region.

“The stability and peace of Syria depend on the preservation of its territorial integrity, and the biggest threat comes from Israel,” he said.