Iranian Leader Makes Historic Visit to Saudi Arabia for Summit on Israel-Hamas Conflict
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, accompanied by Syrian leader, participates in a significant summit in Saudi Arabia to discuss the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, emphasizing the paramount importance of Palestine in the Islamic world
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, for a significant summit addressing the Israel-Hamas war. Arab leaders advocated for a resolution to the ongoing conflict in this gathering. Notably, this visit is the first by an Iranian leader to Saudi Arabia in over a decade since diplomatic relations were reestablished in March.
Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the de facto ruler of the country, exchanged handshakes with him.
When leaving Tehran airport, Raisi emphasized that Palestine holds utmost significance in the Islamic world. He stated that Gaza should not merely be a platform for discussions, but a space for decisive action.
He urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to take a definitive, practical, and enforceable stance regarding Gaza.
In the initial statements, MBS expressed the Kingdom's strong opposition to the ongoing conflict that Palestinians are facing.
"This summit takes place amidst extraordinary and heartbreaking circumstances," he expressed.
"We unequivocally denounce this barbaric conflict inflicted upon our fellow brethren in Palestine... we reaffirm our call for an immediate halt to military actions."
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the US "bears responsibility for the absence of a political solution" as it has most influence on Israel.
Syrias leader also attends
Rais's presence at the summit holds great significance amid speculation about Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Islamist movement with a formidable paramilitary force in the Middle East. There are concerns that Hezbollah could potentially disrupt the ongoing war and ignite a broader conflict in the region. Hezbollah's alliance with Hamas has been growing since the conclusion of the Syrian war. Over the past year, leaders of Hamas have had multiple meetings with Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The increasing ties between Hamas, based in Gaza, and Iran are well-known.
Hezbollah's political stance has wholeheartedly backed the Palestinian militants following the outbreak of Israel's war with Hamas. The organization has actively organized rallies to show solidarity with Palestinian groups and has strongly denounced the extensive airstrikes carried out by Israel on Gaza. The Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit, scheduled for Saturday, has attracted a considerable number of Arab leaders in response to the urgent situation.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Saudi Arabia will host the summit in response to the "unprecedented circumstances in Gaza." The Arab League, in their statement preceding the summit, mentioned that the purpose of the meeting is to address strategies to halt the "Israeli aggression on Gaza."
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has also arrived for the summit, a further sign of Syrias rehabilitation among Arab states, following his participation at a regional meeting in May.
