Saudi Arabia, Iran discuss regional developments after Hamas chief’s assassination

By Ibrahim al-Khazen

ISTANBUL (AA) – The top diplomats of Saudi Arabia and Iran held talks on Thursday to discuss regional developments following the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Iran and Hamas blamed Israel for the killing of Haniyeh, who was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of new President Masoud Pezeshkian. Tel Aviv has not yet confirmed or denied its responsibility.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from his Iranian counterpart Ali Bagheri Kani during which they discussed bilateral relations and latest regional developments, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement without elaborating.

The phone call came one day after Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz sent a written message on Wednesday to the new Iranian president on bilateral ties between the two countries, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry.

Israel has continued a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023 following a Hamas attack despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

At least 39,445 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 91,000 injured, according to local health authorities.

Nearly 10 months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar