Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani

The Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Shamkhani, emphasized that Iran's participation in bilateral talks with Saudi Arabia is derived from its strategy of cooperation with neighboring countries.

In December, the Petra agency reported that the two nations showed a mutual desire to develop relations and enhance regional stability.

The rival nations discussed, among many issues, reducing the threat of missiles and launch mechanisms, as well as technical measures to build trust between the two, particularly in regard to Iran's nuclear program.

In a tweet, Shamkhani explained that Iran's active presence in bilateral talks with Saudi Arabia stems from the principled strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which relies on cooperation and establishing friendly relations with neighboring countries on the basis of ensuring bilateral and regional interests.

The Secretary-General added that what must not be forgotten is that the Zionist entity is the biggest enemy of the Islamic and Arab world.

In an interview with The Atlantic, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) expressed that Iran is a neighboring country, noting that it would be so forever. "We cannot get rid of them, and they cannot get rid of us."

In January, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh confirmed that negotiations between Iran and Saudi Arabia will be completed in Iraq, pointing out that the next round is on the agenda.

Additionally, in October, after several years of suspension, Iran has resumed its exports to Saudi Arabia and considered that the resumption is the direct result of the talks with Saudi Arabia through Iraq's mediation. In December, Tehran announced that three Iranian diplomats have been granted visas to the Saudi city of Jeddah.

These included the restoring of diplomatic ties by granting visas to three officials to reside and be part of the Islamic Cooperation Organization, a Jeddah-based body comprised of 57 Muslim nations.