Saudi defence chief visits Iran for talks

Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian during a visit to Tehran, ahead of weekend talks between Iran and the United States over the Iranian nuclear programme.

The defence minister delivered a message from Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz to Khamenei, Iran's state media reported without giving further details about the content of the message.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has touched on “some of Iran’s advancements”, telling the Saudi defense minister in Tehran that the Islamic Republic is ready to share them with the kingdom.  

"We believe that the relationship between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia will be beneficial for both countries and the two countries can complement each other," Khamenei said. 

Referring to some of Iran's advancements, Ayatollah Khamenei said, "The Islamic Republic is ready to help Saudi Arabia in these areas."

"It is much better for brothers in the region to cooperate and help each other than to rely on others," he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the expansion of relations between the two countries has enemies.

The Saudi defense minister expressed great satisfaction with the meeting which was also attended by Iran’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri.

"I have come to Tehran with the agenda of expanding relations with Iran and cooperation in all fields,” Prince Khalid said.

"And we hope that the constructive talks will provide for stronger relations between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran than in the past," he added. 

Meanwhile Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks at the Kremlin with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

Araqchi was expected to deliver a letter to Putin from Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and to brief the Russian president and his top officials about nuclear negotiations with the United States.