Was Saudi minister’s Tehran visit a gesture of neutrality or mediation?
British Iranian journalist and political analyst
The rare visit of Saudi Arabia’s defense minister to Tehran ahead of Saturday’s Tehran-Washington talks holds significance for regional security and diplomacy, according to Iranian media and analysts.
The timing of Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman’s visit to Tehran on April 17—just days before the second round of Tehran-Washington negotiations—has heightened its significance, sending a clear signal to international actors, particularly the United States. The outcome of these nuclear-related talks could directly affect not only the security, defense, and foreign policies of Iran and Saudi Arabia, but also the broader strategic dynamics of the Middle East.
The visit
Prince Khalid bin Salman was accompanied by a high-level 70-member delegation, which included Riyadh’s ambassador to Yemen’s internationally recognized government. According to both sides, discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties, regional stability, and cooperation on shared interests.
This marks only the second visit by a Saudi defense minister to Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the first since Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz's visit in May 1999 during Mohammad Khatami's reformist presidency, which also included a meeting with Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The Saudi minister's visit came after weeks of threats by President Donald Trump that if Tehran fails to reach an agreement with Washington it can expect some sort of military action.
The trip also coincided with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Moscow and a brief visit to Tehran by IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi, further underscoring the significance of the moment for Iran’s foreign policy.
An assurance of neutrality to Tehran?
Many Iranian media outlets and analysts have highlighted remarks by Ali Shihabi, a Saudi analyst close to the royal court, regarding the visit’s underlying message.
“Saudi is clearly sending a message to Tehran that it will not be a conduit in any fashion towards an attack on Iran,” Shihabi told the Financial Times about the visit. “The kingdom supports President [Donald] Trump’s efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the nuclear crisis, and doesn’t want a war.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s hardline media outlets have warned of threats to regional states if diplomacy fails and Washington opts for military escalation.
“Saudi Arabia and the UAE also want to stay away from Tehran's possible wrath, while reassuring the global energy markets that in the event of a military conflict between Iran and the US, there will be no threat to the region's energy markets or oil fields,” a commentary by the state broadcaster’s Young Journalists Club (YJC) said.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran, while committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region, has repeatedly stated that it will deal with any threat to its national sovereignty and territorial integrity throughout the region,” the commentary added.
Possible Saudi mediation between Tehran and Washington
Iranian media also gave broad coverage to a tweet by independent journalist Laura Rozen, citing a regional source who claimed that Riyadh had “offered to host some sort of US-Iran meeting when Trump visits KSA, but it won’t work at this time.”
Referencing Saudi Arabia’s recent role in hosting Ukraine peace talks, a commentary in the reformist Shargh daily said Riyadh may be seeking a similar role in facilitating US-Iran dialogue. “This could enhance Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic standing on both regional and global fronts,” the article said, adding that the outcome of Iran-US negotiations would undoubtedly shape Riyadh’s future security, defense, and diplomatic strategies, and reverberate throughout the Middle East.
Tehran’s potential role in preventing escalation in Yemen
Analysts in Tehran suggest that one of Riyadh’s key goals was to seek Tehran’s help in preventing potential escalation by the Houthis, particularly in retaliation for recent US strikes. A repeat of the 2019 drone attacks on Saudi Aramco facilities—attributed to the Houthis—remains a major concern.
“Recent US strikes, sometimes carried out without full coordination with its Gulf allies, could jeopardize the fragile ceasefire and spark retaliatory Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure, a commentary published by Iran Diplomacy said. “Riyadh knows that the Houthis, while backed by Iran, have independent decision-making powers, but Tehran's influence could be effective in containing their actions.”
