Saudi defense minister's Tehran visit aims to lower regional escalation

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry said Prince Khalid bin Salman's visit to Tehran aims to lower escalation and support Qatari and Pakistani mediation efforts.

• The Saudi foreign ministry confirmed the defense minister and representatives of the Mecca Defense Agreement states visited Tehran for talks with senior Iranian officials.
• The ministry said the visit aims to reduce escalation between the parties to the current crisis and encourage dialogue and diplomatic solutions.
• The ministry stressed the importance of opening negotiation channels to prevent renewed military escalation and reach an agreement ending the crisis.
• Iran's Ali Bagheri Kani announced the visit would include Pakistani army chief Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin.