Iranian Foreign Minister Visits Saudi Arabia Amid Observation of 'Secret Ceasefire Talks'

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi visited Saudi Arabia on a Middle East tour amid reports that the U.S. and Arab countries have begun secret talks with Iran for a Middle East truce.

Saudi Arabian media said Arakchi met with Crown Prince Bin Salman, the Saudi ruling power, to discuss bilateral relations and the recent situation in the Middle East.

The foreign ministers of the two countries also called for an end to attacks on Gaza and Lebanon and prompt humanitarian aid to the refugees.

"The purpose of this business trip is to stop Israel's crimes in Lebanon and Gaza," Arakchi said before departing for Saudi Arabia.

"Iran is not afraid of war, but it does not want tensions to rise," he said.

After Saudi Arabia, Arakchi will visit Qatar and other Gulf states, which are mediators of the Gaza truce negotiations.

Earlier, Israeli media, citing a senior official, reported that the United States and Arab countries had begun behind-the-scenes negotiations with Iran for a ceasefire on all fronts in the Middle East.