Saudi Arabia has encouraged Iran to take meaningful steps toward reaching a nuclear agreement with former U.S. President Donald Trump. This message was reportedly delivered by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman during a confidential visit to Tehran on April 17. During the discussions, he emphasized that swift action on a deal could help avoid a potential military conflict with Israel. The visit was said to convey a direct message from King Salman to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The meeting also involved Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, along with senior military and diplomatic officials. According to sources, the Saudi delegation warned that Trump’s patience was limited and that delays might undermine the chances of successful negotiations. Trump had recently announced a willingness for direct talks with Iran during a public appearance alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Prince Khalid stressed that a negotiated settlement was far preferable to the risk of war.
Prince Khalid also voiced concern about the fragile regional environment, pointing to ongoing violence in Gaza and Lebanon as contributing to instability. He cautioned that escalating tensions could harm Saudi Arabia’s economic ambitions. He referenced past incidents such as the 2019 drone attacks on Aramco facilities—attacks for which Saudi Arabia held Iran and its allies responsible.
Iranian officials responded with cautious interest, expressing concerns over inconsistent U.S. positions, which they said made trust difficult. Iran reiterated its demand for sanctions relief and recognition of its right to enrich uranium, though it remains unwilling to completely dismantle its nuclear program. One source indicated that Iran might consider halting enrichment temporarily if Washington agreed to unfreeze certain financial assets.
This visit marked an unusual high-level interaction between the two rival states, following a reconciliation deal brokered by China in 2023. Prince Khalid assured Tehran that Saudi Arabia would not permit attacks on Iran to be launched from its territory by either Israel or the U.S. However, diplomats noted continued unease in Riyadh and beyond, with concerns about Iran’s unpredictable behavior. While peace is desired, trust remains limited.
