Saudi Arabia welcomes US-Iran deal, stresses regional security concerns
TLE DESK: Saudi Arabia on Monday welcomed the agreement between the United States and Iran to end hostilities and begin negotiations aimed at securing a permanent peace settlement, while emphasizing that any long-term arrangement must safeguard the security interests of countries in the region.
In a statement posted on social media, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the kingdom welcomed “the agreement reached between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran to end military operations and initiate detailed negotiations within 60 days to reach a permanent agreement.”
The kingdom expressed hope that the breakthrough would contribute to regional stability and help reduce tensions across the Middle East after months of conflict.
However, Riyadh stressed that any lasting peace deal must address the concerns of regional states and uphold the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
Saudi Arabia said a sustainable agreement should be one “that takes into consideration the security interests of regional states, sticking to the principle of non-interference in the interior affairs of other countries.”
The Saudi statement came a day after Washington and Tehran announced a framework agreement to halt military operations and begin negotiations on unresolved issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and regional security arrangements.
The kingdom has maintained close coordination with regional and international partners throughout the conflict and has repeatedly called for diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia’s endorsement is seen as significant given its role as one of the region’s most influential powers and its longstanding concerns over Iran’s regional activities. Officials in Riyadh have consistently argued that any comprehensive agreement with Tehran should address broader security issues affecting Gulf nations and the wider Middle East.
The US-Iran agreement is expected to be formally signed later this week, with negotiations on a permanent settlement scheduled to continue over the next 60 days.