In this file photo provided by Saudi Press Agency, SPA, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs the Arab summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, May 19, 2023. (Saudi Press Agency via AP)
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler and Iran’s president speak by phone about the war between Israel and Hamas, Saudi state media says, their first call since a surprise rapprochement in March.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a call on Wednesday from the Iranian leader, Ebrahim Raisi, during which they discussed “the current military situation in Gaza and its environs,” the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) says.
Prince Mohammed told Raisi that Riyadh is “communicating with all international and regional parties to stop the ongoing escalation,” SPA says.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaks during a news conference on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly, at UN headquarters in New York City on September 20, 2023. (Ed Jones/AFP)
He also stressed “the kingdom’s firm position towards supporting the Palestinian cause,” it says.
Iranian state news agency IRNA also reports on the call, saying the two men discussed the “need to end war crimes against Palestine.”
Hamas launched a devastating surprise attack on Israel on Saturday that killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians.
Officials in Hamas-controlled Gaza have reported more than 1,000 people killed in Israel’s retaliatory campaign of air and artillery strikes.
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