From the Liveblog of
Monday, November 11, 2024
Saudi crown prince calls on international community to stop Israel from attacking Iran
RIYADH – Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler calls on Israel to respect Iran’s sovereignty and refrain from attacking Iranian soil, highlighting warming ties between the Middle East rivals.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tells a summit of Arab and Muslim leaders that the international community should oblige Israel “to respect the sovereignty of the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran and not to violate its lands.”
In March 2023, Shiite Muslim-dominated Iran and Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia resumed relations under a surprise China-brokered deal.
Tehran and Riyadh had severed ties in 2016 after Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran were attacked during protests over Riyadh’s execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
They have long backed opposing sides in conflict zones across the region, most notably in Syria and Yemen.
In October, Saudi Arabia announced that it had held war games with Iran and other countries in the Sea of Oman.
Yesterday, Saudi Arabia’s top military official, Fayyad al-Ruwaili, arrived in Tehran for talks with Iranian officials.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.