Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has called on Israel to refrain from attacking Iran and to respect its sovereignty. Speaking at a summit of Arab and Muslim leaders on Monday, the Crown Prince emphasized the importance of the international community compelling Israel to honor the territorial integrity of the "sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran."
Highlighting improving relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, long-time regional rivals, Mohammed bin Salman urged for immediate ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon. He stressed that halting hostilities is crucial to addressing the humanitarian crises resulting from ongoing conflicts.
In his opening remarks at the joint summit of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Riyadh, the Crown Prince condemned Israel's military actions in Gaza, describing them as "genocide." He called on the global community to "immediately halt the Israeli actions against our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon" and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's support for the people in these regions.
"Saudi Arabia stands with our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon to help them overcome the devastating humanitarian consequences of the ongoing aggression," he stated.
The summit, which gathered Arab and Muslim leaders, is seen as an opportunity to send a unified message to the international community regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, especially to the incoming U.S. administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, Israel's new Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed skepticism about the feasibility of establishing a Palestinian state. "I don't think this position is realistic today, and we must be pragmatic," Saar said ahead of the Arab summit in Jerusalem, referring to Palestine as a "Hamas state."
Saudi Arabia, a predominantly Sunni Muslim nation, and Iran, a majority Shiite country, have historically been on opposing sides of regional conflicts, including in Syria. However, the two countries have maintained high-level contacts recently as part of efforts to de-escalate tensions following the war that erupted in Gaza after Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7 of last year.
In the past year, Iran reportedly fired missiles at Israel on two occasions, leading to retaliatory strikes. On October 26, Israel launched airstrikes targeting Iranian military facilities.
The Crown Prince's call for restraint and respect for sovereignty reflects a shift towards diplomacy and dialogue in the region. By advocating for ceasefires and emphasizing humanitarian concerns, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a mediator seeking stability in the Middle East.
