MOSCOW: In a significant development signaling potential diplomatic shifts, Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Minister of Defense, Talal Al-Otaibi, engaged in discussions with a senior Iranian defense official, Aziz Nasirzadeh, on the sidelines of the 11th Moscow Conference on International Security.
This meeting comes amidst ongoing efforts to explore avenues for enhanced defense and security cooperation between the two regional powers.
Pictures shared via the official Saudi Ministry of Defense Twitter account captured the important meeting, showcasing Al-Otaibi and Nasirzadeh engaged in dialogue, surrounded by delegations from both Saudi Arabia and Iran. The meeting took place within the context of the annual Moscow Conference, a prominent gathering that convenes ministers, military leaders, and defense policymakers from around the globe to deliberate on pressing international and regional security concerns.
معالي مساعد وزير الدفاع المهندس طلال العتيبي، يرأس وفد #وزارة_الدفاع المشارك في مؤتمر موسكو الـ 11 للأمن الدولي 2023، بحضور عدد من وزراء الدفاع والخارجية وكبار القادة العسكريين وصانعي سياسات الدفاع والأمن من مختلف دول العالم.https://t.co/2vnmIED9aN pic.twitter.com/HDeaKSdcb4
— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) August 16, 2023
Saudi Arabia’s Bilateral Relations with Different Countries
Al-Otaibi led the Saudi delegation at the conference, where he held discussions with high-ranking officials and delegation heads from various nations. The Saudi Ministry of Defense conveyed that these engagements encompassed a comprehensive review of bilateral relationships with different countries and efforts to explore opportunities for fortifying partnerships within the domains of defense and security.
The conference’s platform provided an opportune setting for the exchange, enabling Saudi and Iranian officials to engage in direct dialogue on areas of mutual interest. Both nations, pivotal players in the Middle East, have been seeking avenues to improve their diplomatic and strategic relations, potentially contributing to regional stability.
In continuation of these diplomatic overtures, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, is scheduled to embark on a significant visit to Riyadh on Thursday. This visit is taking place at the official invitation of Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan. The anticipated discussions between the foreign ministers are expected to further facilitate the exploration of potential avenues for cooperation, with a focus on shared regional challenges.
