Iran FM in Saudi Arabia for talks on Gaza, Lebanon

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travelled to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for talks that were expected to cover efforts to end Israel's attack on Lebanon and its yearlong war on Gaza.

"I hope that these consultations can lead to better conditions for Palestine and Lebanon and establish peace in the region," Araghchi told Iranian state television upon his arrival in Riyadh.

Earlier on Wednesday, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on X that Araghchi's visit would focus on stopping "the Israeli regime's genocide & aggression" and aimed to "alleviate the pain and suffering of our brothers and sisters in Gaza and Lebanon".

The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that Araghchi met with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

He also met his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, to discuss "developments in the region", SPA said, without providing details.

Araghchi's visit to Saudi Arabia comes as the region awaits Israel's response to an Iranian missile attack on its territory last week.

"Saudi will confirm that it will not allow any party to use its airspace to attack the other and will also agree to any call for a ceasefire in Lebanon or Gaza," Ali Shihabi, a Saudi analyst close to the government, told AFP.

In Beirut on Friday, Araghchi said Tehran supports efforts for a "simultaneous" ceasefire in Lebanon and the Palestinian territory.

The Islamic republic called Hamas's surprise 7 October  attack on Israel "a turning point in the history of the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people against Israel".