Iran’s Interim President Mohammad Mokhber and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to strengthening bilateral ties on Friday.
During a phone call, the Saudi crown prince extended condolences for the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and their delegation, who perished in a helicopter crash, according to the official IRNA news agency.
The crown prince underscored the importance of fostering relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, expressing a vision for a prosperous regional future through enhanced cooperation. He also conveyed Saudi Arabia’s readiness to bolster trade relations with Iran.
Mokhber expressed gratitude to the Saudi crown prince and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for their “kind and sympathetic” condolences. He highlighted Raisi’s achievements in strengthening relations with neighboring and friendly countries, emphasizing that Iran’s commitment to building strong international ties remains steadfast despite Raisi’s passing.
Mokhber stressed the need for Iran and Saudi Arabia to further support and stabilize their political ties by enhancing economic interactions and addressing obstacles to cooperation between their private sectors.
The helicopter carrying Raisi and his entourage crashed on Sunday in a mountainous area of East Azerbaijan province in northwestern Iran, resulting in the deaths of all on board.
First Vice President Mokhber has been appointed interim president until a new presidential election is held on June 28.
In April 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia announced the resumption of diplomatic relations in Beijing after years of estrangement.
