Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) held a telephonic conversation with newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which both leaders emphasised the need to restore peace and stability in the Middle East, as the confrontation between Iran and Israel intensifies.
According to Saudi and Iranian state media, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed concern over what he termed as Israel’s deliberate attempt to escalate the conflict with Iran in order to provoke direct U.S. military involvement in the region.
“The Israeli government is attempting to drag the United States into a broader war with Iran,” the Crown Prince was quoted as saying during the call. He urged Tehran to act with prudence in the face of ongoing provocations and expressed confidence that Iran would take a "wise and calculated step" in response.
Islamic unity in Iran’s support
The Crown Prince also reiterated that the entire Islamic world stands united in support of Iran amid Israeli aggression, marking a notable shift in tone from Riyadh in recent years. “Today, the Muslim Ummah is watching closely. We support Iran’s right to defend itself while hoping for a path that prevents further escalation,” MBS stated.
The conversation comes as Iran continues its large-scale retaliatory operation, True Promise III, in response to Israeli airstrikes that killed several senior Iranian officials. In return, Iran launched over a hundred missiles and drones targeting key Israeli infrastructure, resulting in dozens of casualties and widespread damage.
Iran vows cooperation with Riyadh
President Masoud Pezeshkian, who recently took office, told the Crown Prince that Iran remains committed to working closely with Saudi Arabia to foster peace, security, and cooperation in the region.
"From the first day of assuming responsibility, our aim has been peace and stability in the Islamic region," Pezeshkian said. He accused Israel of deliberately disrupting peace efforts, stating: “Every time we near dialogue and progress, Israel attempts to derail it through violence.”
The Iranian President thanked the Crown Prince for his outreach and acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s growing role in regional diplomacy, especially after the two countries restored diplomatic ties last year through Chinese mediation.
