Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed the regional situation amid new drone threat to KSA. PHOTO: REUTERS/AFP
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, discussed the ongoing diplomatic process between Tehran and Washington and the latest regional developments during a phone call on Monday, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry.
The ministry said the two top diplomats exchanged views on regional issues and current diplomatic efforts during the conversation.
Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said earlier today that talks with the United States were still ongoing through Pakistani mediation.
Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran in February. Tehran retaliated with strikes targeting Israel as well as US allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
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A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement. US President Donald Trump later extended the truce indefinitely.
Saudi Arabia intercepted three drones
Saudi Arabia said on Sunday it intercepted three drones after they entered its territory from Iraqi airspace.
The kingdom’s defence ministry said it would take the necessary operational measures to respond to any attempt to violate its sovereignty and security.
While hostilities during the Iran conflict have largely scaled down since a ceasefire came into effect in April, drones have been launched from Iraq toward Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Iraq said today it was investigating the circumstances surrounding a drone attack that Saudi Arabia said was launched from Iraqi territory on Sunday.
Iraq’s Foreign Ministry also said in a statement that Iraqi air defences had not detected any drones being launched in the country’s airspace.
