Saudi Arabia confirms talks with Iran, plays down breakthrough

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry pumped the brakes on speculation over a potential breakthrough in its hostilities with Iran on Friday following reports that the rivals had held talks in Baghdad to ease tensions in the region.

“We hope they prove successful, but it is too early, and premature, to reach any definitive conclusions,” Ambassador Rayed Krimly told Reuters on Friday.

Krimly, the head of policy planning at the Saudi Foreign Ministry in Riyadh, confirmed that his government has held talks with Iranian officials in recent weeks designed to “explore ways to reduce tensions in the region.”

His statement is the latest official confirmation of the talks, first reported by the Financial Times, and acknowledged by Iraqi President Barham Salih this week.