Iran says open to talks with Saudi Arabia after media reports

Iran refuses to say whether it held talks with Saudi Arabia, but said it is open to prospect of talks with regional foe.

Tehran, Iran – Iran’s foreign ministry has said the country is open to direct talks with Saudi Arabia after media reports said the two regional rivals recently held secret talks in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh on Monday refused to confirm or deny the reported talks on April 9 in Baghdad, but added that media outlets have used “contradictory quotes” and have had a history of fabricating news, referring to reports by the London-based newspaper Financial Times and news agency Reuters. Khatibzadeh, however, pointed out that Iran “has always welcomed talks with the Saudi kingdom and has deemed it beneficial to the two countries’ people and regional peace and stability, and this thought will continue”.