ISLAMABAD: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman conveyed a firm assuranceto Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Riyadh will not permit itsairspace or territory to be used for any military actions directed againstTehran. The statement, reported by the official Saudi Press Agency onTuesday, comes at a time of heightened regional anxieties following reportsof United States naval deployments in the Middle East. This diplomaticexchange underscores a mutual interest in de-escalation and dialogue toprevent broader conflict.
The phone conversation highlighted Saudi Arabia’s respect for Iran’ssovereignty and its opposition to any aggression or escalation originatingfrom or through its lands. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized thatthe Kingdom supports efforts to resolve differences through peaceful means,aiming to strengthen security and stability across the region. Such aposition marks a significant diplomatic signal, particularly givenhistorical rivalries between the two powers.
Iranian President Pezeshkian, responding positively to the assurance,reiterated Tehran’s openness to any process aligned with international lawthat could avert war and promote peace. Iranian media accounts of the callnoted his emphasis on how regional instability serves no party’s interests.He pointed to recent external pressures, including economic sanctions andperceived interferences, as factors that have failed to weaken Iran’sresolve or national unity.
This development follows a period of cautious rapprochement between Riyadhand Tehran, facilitated by earlier agreements brokered with Chinesemediation in 2023. Relations had deteriorated sharply over proxy conflictsin Yemen, Syria, and other arenas, but recent years have seen diplomaticengagements, including high-level meetings and reciprocal visits. Thecurrent assurance appears to build on that momentum, reflecting a shareddesire to insulate bilateral ties from external escalations.
Analysts observe that Saudi Arabia’s stance may stem from strategiccalculations amid shifting regional dynamics. With reports of a UnitedStates aircraft carrier group arriving in the Middle East to bolsterdefensive postures or potentially support operations, Riyadh seems keen toassert independence in foreign policy decisions. By publicly declining tofacilitate actions against Iran, the Kingdom avoids entanglement in apossible wider confrontation while preserving its improving relations withTehran.
The United Arab Emirates issued a comparable declaration recently, statingit would not allow its airspace or territorial waters for militaryoperations targeting Iran. This convergence among Gulf states suggests abroader regional preference for de-escalation, even as tensions persistover issues like Iran’s nuclear program and responses to provocations. Suchpositions could complicate any external plans relying on local logisticalsupport.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who also serves as prime minister, hasincreasingly pursued a pragmatic foreign policy focused on economicdiversification and regional stability. His leadership has shifted Saudipriorities toward development initiatives like Vision 2030, reducingappetite for prolonged proxy confrontations. The phone call aligns withthis approach, prioritizing dialogue over confrontation to foster anenvironment conducive to investment and growth.
President Pezeshkian, in office since mid-2024, has advocated forconstructive engagement with neighbors while maintaining Iran’s principledpositions on sovereignty and rights. His administration has sought to easeinternational pressures through diplomacy, including nuclear-relateddiscussions, while rejecting what it views as coercive tactics. Theexchange with the Saudi leader reinforces Iran’s narrative of resilienceagainst external adversities.
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Broader implications include potential impacts on Gulf security frameworksand energy markets. Any reduction in escalation risks could stabilize oilprices and shipping routes through critical straits. Observers note thatsustained Saudi-Iranian dialogue might encourage multilateral efforts toaddress shared challenges, from Yemen’s conflict resolution to counteringextremism across the region.
The call also occurs against domestic contexts in both nations. Iran hasfaced internal unrest, with authorities attributing disturbances toexternal-backed elements, while Saudi Arabia continues internal reforms.Diplomatic successes abroad can bolster domestic legitimacy for bothleaderships by projecting strength through stability rather than militaryposturing.
This assurance from Riyadh represents a measured step towardconfidence-building in a volatile region. While not resolving underlyingdisputes, it signals commitment to non-aggression and dialogue, potentiallypaving the way for further high-level interactions. As global powersmonitor developments, the focus remains on whether such bilateralunderstandings can translate into tangible de-escalation measures.
Source:https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-welcomes-any-process-prevent-war-president-tells-saudi-crown-prince-phone-2026-01-27
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