Overview

• Saudi Arabia's top military official, Fayyad al-Ruwaili, visited Tehran to discuss defense cooperation, signaling warming relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
• The talks come amid an Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh, where leaders are addressing ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon and calling for immediate ceasefires.
• Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Israel to respect Iran's sovereignty and called for international support for Palestine and Lebanon.
• The summit is seen as an opportunity for regional leaders to communicate their expectations to the incoming Trump administration regarding U.S. engagement in the Middle East.
• Recent developments follow the China-brokered agreement in 2023 that restored diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia after years of hostility.