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Saudi Arabia Wants Fresh Round Of Talks With Iran, Says Foreign Minister


Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud (file photo)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud (file photo)

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, said on February 19 that the kingdom was looking to schedule a fifth round of direct talks with Iran despite a "lack of substantive progress" in previous rounds.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Al Saud also voiced hope that there was a serious desire by Iran to find a "new modus operandi" in the region.

There was no immediate reaction from Iran.

Shi’ite-led Iran and Sunni-controlled Saudi Arabia are bitter rivals in the struggle for influence in the Middle East, and support allies in proxy wars in Yemen, Syria, and elsewhere.

The two countries have held several rounds of talks since April aimed at improving relations.

Riyadh and Tehran cut diplomatic relations in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following Riyadh’s execution of a prominent Shi’ite cleric.

Based on reporting by Reuters

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