Iranian VP Meets Saudi Crown Prince, Calls for Unified Action on Gaza and Lebanon Crisis

Tehran, The Gulf Observer: Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, emphasizing the enduring nature of Iran-Saudi relations amidst escalating regional tensions. The leaders’ discussions underscored the irreversible progress in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

During an extraordinary summit in Riyadh, convened as the second emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League, Vice President Aref expressed concern over the ineffectiveness of international mechanisms in halting Israeli aggression in Gaza and Lebanon. He called on Islamic and Arab leaders to take “collective action” against these hostilities, labeling the situation in Palestine and Lebanon as one of the gravest injustices of the past century.

Addressing representatives from over 50 Islamic and Arab countries, Aref presented three urgent goals for regional leaders: stopping the ongoing Israeli attacks, ensuring that effective measures are implemented to prevent future atrocities, and securing adequate compensation for the affected populations of Palestine and Lebanon.

Aref condemned what he described as the violent occupation of Palestinian territories and the recent escalation of violence in Lebanon, attributing the humanitarian crisis to a “racist occupying entity” emboldened by the unconditional support it receives from the United States and other Western allies. He highlighted that over 50,000 civilians, primarily women and children, have been killed in Gaza, with similar acts of violence unfolding in Lebanon due to political and military backing from the U.S.

The meeting, which brought together leaders from the Arab and Muslim worlds, served as a platform to address shared concerns over regional stability and the humanitarian crisis, as well as to discuss actionable steps to support the Palestinian and Lebanese populations.