Abbas Araghchi meets Saudi counterpart in Mecca
The meeting was Araghchi's first official visit to Saudi Arabia since attending the BRICS summit in Brazil, which indicates an easing of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran after years of tension.
According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the visit aimed to deepen dialogue on bilateral ties and explore pathways to enhance regional peace and security.
The two top diplomats discussed ongoing regional developments, including efforts to stabilize the Middle East amid escalating threats and political unrest.
Araghchi's visit comes at a critical moment. In a sharply worded op-ed published by the Financial Times, the Iranian Foreign Minister criticized the United States' regional posture, claiming that 'America First' has effectively become 'Israel First.'
He argued that true diplomacy must be built on mutual respect and warned against coercive policies masked as dialogue.
'Negotiations held under the shadow of war are inherently unstable,' Araghchi wrote, cautioning that real dialogue cannot exist while threats and third-party interference persist. He pointed to Israeli airstrikes on Iran and U.S. policy shifts as key factors derailing progress.
Araghchi also revealed that U.S.-Iran nuclear talks had gained momentum in recent months, but claimed the diplomatic channel was disrupted just days before a crucial sixth round of talks by what he described as 'an unprovoked Israeli attack.'
He expressed doubt over renewed U.S. engagement, citing the collapse of the 2015 nuclear agreement and the lack of trust after repeated setbacks.
Despite his sharp criticism of the U.S. and Israel, Araghchi emphasized Iran's commitment to preventing a full-scale regional war and reiterated Tehran's openness to responsible diplomacy. He described recent conversations with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff as more productive than four years of prior negotiations.
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