Saudi Arabia on Friday expressed strong backing for the ongoing indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran, expressing hope that the talks will pave a diplomatic path toward de-escalation and contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan made the remarks during a press conference in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, following high-level meetings focused on consolidating the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and addressing the broader humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave.
Speaking to journalists, Prince Faisal emphasized that dialogue remains the only realistic and sustainable way to resolve the deepening crisis between Washington and Tehran. “The region is burdened by multiple crises, and finding a diplomatic solution between the United States and Iran is essential for achieving peace and stability,” he stated.
The comments come as indirect talks between US and Iranian representatives began in Oman on Friday, aimed at defusing mounting tensions primarily centered on Iran’s nuclear program, its regional activities, and the United States’ sanctions regime. Oman has long served as a neutral mediator in US-Iran communications, facilitating discreet channels even during periods of acute hostility.
The Saudi minister’s remarks are significant given the Kingdom’s historically strained relations with Iran, marked by years of proxy conflicts in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, as well as a 2016 diplomatic rupture that lasted until a Chinese-brokered restoration of ties in March 2023. Riyadh’s public support for diplomacy with Iran signals a continued commitment to détente and reflects the evolving regional dynamics under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership, which has prioritized economic diversification, security cooperation, and reducing military entanglements.
Turning to the Gaza situation, Prince Faisal acknowledged persistent and serious obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid and the initiation of large-scale reconstruction efforts, despite sustained international pressure and engagement. He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s call for unimpeded and sustainable access to the enclave for food, medicine, fuel, and other essentials, warning that delays risk further humanitarian catastrophe.
The minister expressed cautious optimism about the role of US President Donald Trump’s newly formed “Board of Peace”—a special advisory group established early in his second term to coordinate Middle East policy and facilitate negotiations. Prince Faisal voiced hope that the Board would succeed in overcoming existing barriers, enabling sufficient humanitarian corridors while laying the groundwork for long-term reconstruction initiatives in Gaza.
He also took the opportunity to reiterate Saudi Arabia’s longstanding position on the broader Palestinian issue, stressing that no lasting peace in the region is possible without addressing its root causes. “A political solution based on the two-state framework remains the only viable path to enduring stability,” he said, reaffirming the Kingdom’s support for an independent, sovereign Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security.
The Ljubljana meetings, hosted by Slovenia as part of its rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, brought together key regional and international actors to review progress on the Gaza ceasefire and explore ways to prevent a relapse into full-scale conflict. Discussions also covered the need for a credible political horizon to prevent recurring cycles of violence.
Saudi Arabia’s endorsement of US-Iran talks aligns with broader regional efforts to lower tensions and prevent spillover from the Iran-US standoff into other flashpoints. The Kingdom has been actively involved in shuttle diplomacy and back-channel communications aimed at containing escalation, particularly following the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, and subsequent exchanges between Israel and Iran-backed groups across the region.
Analysts view Riyadh’s position as pragmatic: while Saudi Arabia remains wary of Iran’s regional influence and ballistic missile program, it has increasingly prioritized economic and diplomatic gains over confrontation. The Kingdom is pursuing ambitious Vision 2030 reforms that require regional stability, foreign investment, and normalized ties with a wide range of partners—including potential normalization with Israel under the right conditions.
As indirect talks proceed in Oman, the international community will closely watch whether the dialogue produces concrete confidence-building measures, such as steps to limit uranium enrichment levels, ease sanctions, or establish new verification mechanisms. For now, Saudi Arabia’s public support adds diplomatic weight to the process and underscores the shared regional interest in preventing further escalation in an already fragile environment.
