Ayatollah Khamenei Tells Defense Minister Prince Khalid in Tehran:

Iran, Saudi Arabia Can Complement Each Other

Date: 18 April 2025 - 23:11

News ID: ۱۳۸۵۹۳

TEHRAN -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has touched on “some of Iran’s advancements”, telling the Saudi defense minister that the Islamic Republic is ready to share them with the kingdom.
Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, brother of Crown Prince and de facto ruler Muhammad bin Salman, called on Ayatollah Khamenei here Thursday afternoon to present the message of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman.
“We believe that the relationship between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia will be beneficial for both countries and the two countries can complement each other,” the Leader said.
Referring to some of Iran’s advancements, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “The Islamic Republic is ready to help Saudi Arabia in these areas.”
“It is much better for brothers in the region to cooperate and help each other than to rely on others,” he added.
Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the expansion of relations between the two countries has enemies. “These hostile motives must be overcome, and we are ready for this,” he said.
The Saudi defense minister expressed great satisfaction with the meeting which was also attended by Iran’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Muhammad Hussein Bagheri.
“I have come to Tehran with the agenda of expanding relations with Iran and cooperation in all fields,” Prince Khalid said, according to state news agency IRNA.
“And we hope that the constructive talks will provide for stronger relations between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran than in the past,” he added.
President Masoud Pezeshkian told Prince Khalid that the Islamic Republic and Saudi Arabia can serve as a model for regional cooperation.
“We consider you our brothers, and since the beginning of this government’s tenure, we have made efforts to strengthen fraternal ties among Islamic nations,” Pezeshkian said.
He touched on the importance of setting aside differences and boosting regional cooperation.
“Leaders of Islamic countries can, with a shared will, present an inspiring model of coexistence, prosperity, and progress for other societies. The Islamic Republic of Iran is fully prepared to expand its relations with Saudi Arabia in all fields and extend bilateral cooperation to other Islamic countries,” Pezeshkian stressed.
The president said Iran and Saudi Arabia, by relying on their shared capacities and without foreign interference, can resolve many of the region’s problems.
“We hope the goodwill that has emerged between the two countries will strengthen the interests of the Islamic world and discourage enemies from interference and sowing discord,” Pezeshkian said.
The president also expressed Iran’s readiness to host Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman.
Prince Khalid said his meetings with Iranian officials had been very useful, positive, and constructive.
The Saudi defense minister emphasized the need for unity and convergence in the Islamic world, telling President Pezeshkian that he “rightly

pointed to the root cause of the Islamic world’s problems that is the lack of unity and cohesion”.
He said Iran and Saudi Arabia are two main pillars of the region, and strong relations between the two countries can serve as an effective model for convergence and synergy in the Islamic world.
Prince Khalid invited President Pezeshkian on behalf of the Saudi king and crown prince to visit Saudi Arabia, affirming the readiness of Saudi officials to expand cooperation in all areas with Iran.
Earlier, Gen. Bagheri stressed Iran’s readiness to expand military relations with Saudi Arabia, telling Prince Khalid that “good relations between the two countries and their armed forces will bring despair and hopelessness to our enemies and joy to our friends”.
Since the signing of the “Beijing Agreement” in March 2023 to restore diplomatic relations between the armed forces of Iran and Saudi Arabia have been growing and developing, Gen. Bagheri said.
Iran’s principled policy, he said, is to guarantee security by the countries of the region, where Tehran and Riyadh can play a significant role in realizing this important and strategic goal.
Gen. Bagheri touched on the “special and complex regional and international situation”, expressing the readiness of Iran’s armed forces to develop bilateral defense relations with Saudi Arabia in various areas of interest to both parties.
He cited the “destructive role of the Zionist regime” in disrupting the peace and tranquility of Islamic countries and its efforts to spread chaos in the region.
Prince Khalid said the important relations between the two countries have a great impact on ensuring the security of the region, adding the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia insists on strengthening and developing relations between the two countries.
“God willing, the outcome of these good relations and their improvement in various fields will have good results for the two countries and the region,” he added.
Prince Khalid also invited Gen. Bagheri to visit Saudi Arabia. The Saudi defense minister also met Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian.