US' Rubio discusses Iran, regional issues with Saudi foreign minister

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud about regional security and stability and the ongoing situation in Iran, said an official statement.

"They agreed to remain in close contact on developments throughout the region," the State Department said in a readout of the phone call.

The call comes amid heightened tensions over protests that erupted in Tehran and other Iranian cities last month, starting over worsening economic conditions and a sharp fall in the national currency, and later turning against the government.

There are no official casualty figures, but the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), a US-based group, estimates that the death toll has reached more than 3,700, including both security forces and protesters, while over 24,300 protesters have been arrested.

US President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened to "hit hard" if protesters were killed but later commended Tehran for reportedly canceling hundreds of scheduled executions.

Iran accused the US of stoking the protests.

Saudi Arabia, along with Qatar and Oman, has reportedly lobbied Washington to avoid military strikes on Iran, fearing that sudden regime change or an attack could destabilize the region.