Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a phone call Jan. 27 initiated by the Iranian side. According to a statement](https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/N2499548) issued Jan. 28 by the Saudi Press Agency, MBS “affirmed during the call the Kingdom’s position in respecting the sovereignty of Iran, stressing that the Kingdom will not allow its airspace or territory to be used for any military actions against Iran or for any attacks from any party, regardless of their origin.” He “also affirmed the Kingdom’s support for any efforts aimed at resolving disputes through dialogue in a manner that enhances security and stability in the region.”
In turn, Pezeshkian warned that American military movements and rhetoric in West Asia are part of a calculated effort to destabilize the region. “The threats and psychological operations of the Americans are aimed at disrupting the security of the region and will achieve nothing other than instability,” Pezeshkian told the Crown Prince, reported PressTV.
During the call, Pezeshkian pointed to a surge in hostility from the United States and the Israeli regime since the start of his administration. He specifically cited economic pressure, the 12-day war against Iran, and the direct involvement in inciting recent terrorist riots within Iran, which resulted in the martyrdom of civilians and security forces and significant damage to public property, including markets and mosques, PressTV reported.
“They imagined they could turn Iran into another Syria or Libya,” the President remarked. “They failed to recognize the truth, nature, and greatness of the Iranian nation. The conscious and widespread presence of our people on the scene defeated their conspiracies,” he said, referring to massive anti-riot protests across Iran over the past weeks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, meanwhile, has contradicted Trump’s claim to Axios that Iran, with an “armada” bearing down on it, has said it wants to make a deal. “There was no contact between me and Witkoff in recent days and no request for negotiations was made from us,” Araghchi told state media, reported Reuters. He added that various intermediaries were “holding consultations” and were in contact with Tehran. “Our stance is clear, negotiations don’t go along with threats and talks can only take place when there are no longer menaces and excessive demands.”
