TEHRAN – On Thursday, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in Tehran.

The purpose of the meeting was to convey a message from Saudi Arabia’s King, as well as to explore avenues for enhancing bilateral relations between the two nations.

The meeting, which also saw the participation of Iranian military chief Major General Mohammad Bagheri, was marked by a spirit of cooperation. Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that Iran views stronger ties with Saudi Arabia as mutually beneficial. “We believe that relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia can serve both nations well. The two countries can complement each other,” he stated.

Highlighting Iran’s growing advancements in various technological sectors, the Leader conveyed Tehran’s willingness to share its knowledge know-how with Riyadh. “We are ready to offer assistance in technology to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is far better for regional brothers to collaborate and support one another rather than relying on external powers,” Ayatollah Khamenei added.

Ayatollah Khamenei also acknowledged the challenges posed by external forces opposed to the deepening of Iran-Saudi ties, noting that these adversarial influences must be overcome. “There are certain countries that are adamantly against the expansion of relations between our two nations, but we are ready to counter these hostile motives,” he asserted.

Prince Khalid bin Salman, for his part, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the discussions. Reflecting on his visit, he said, “I have come to Tehran with the intention of expanding relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran and fostering cooperation in all areas. I sincerely hope that the constructive dialogue we have had will pave the way for stronger ties between our countries than ever before."

The Saudi Defense Minister underscored the importance of building a foundation for a robust future partnership. He further conveyed that the discussions would continue to focus on creating positive, lasting outcomes for both nations.