In a meeting held on the sidelines of the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud jointly advocated for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the swift delivery of crucial humanitarian assistance to the beleaguered region.
The two diplomats, meeting against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict, expressed contentment with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations. They also conveyed enthusiasm for further expanding cooperation across various domains, as outlined in a statement published on the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s website.
Amir-Abdollahian strongly denounced the persistent Israeli attacks on Gaza and the West Bank, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts among Tehran, Riyadh, and other regional nations. He urged intensified diplomatic pressure on the United States and Israel to promptly secure a truce and dispatch emergency humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population.
Highlighting the gradual progress in bilateral ties, Amir-Abdollahian expressed Iran’s readiness to enhance relations with Saudi Arabia, particularly in economic and trade sectors.
In response, the Saudi foreign minister affirmed common ground between the two nations regarding the imperative support for an immediate Gaza ceasefire and the expedited delivery of emergency aid. He pledged ongoing efforts from Saudi Arabia to realize these objectives and emphasized the positive trajectory of bilateral relations.
The Gaza conflict, now in its third month, has resulted in a devastating toll, with over 18,400 Palestinians and around 1,200 Israelis reported dead, according to official statistics from both sides.
It is noteworthy that in March, Saudi Arabia and Iran reached a groundbreaking agreement in Beijing, China, to restore diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies and missions within a two-month timeframe.
