Iranian cleric says Saudi defense minister’s visit shows Tehran's strength

Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman’s visit to Iran reflects the strength of the Islamic Republic, a senior Iranian cleric said on Friday.

“The visit of the Saudi crown prince’s minister to Iran is a sign of the power of this sacred system,” said Saeed Hosseini, the Friday prayer Imam in the central city of Kashan, according to Iranian media.

Hosseini said the visit showed that regional actors were reassessing their attitude toward Iran. He suggested it also signaled that Saudi Arabia does not intend to serve as a channel for future aggression against Tehran, adding that some Persian Gulf states are wary of being caught in the crossfire if tensions escalate.