Saudi Arabia steps up backchannel talks with Iran to ease regional tensions

Saudi Arabia has intensified its direct engagement with Iran through diplomatic backchannels in an effort to de-escalate regional tensions and prevent the current conflict from worsening, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The contacts, supported by several European and Middle Eastern countries, involve both security agencies and diplomats, the sources said. It was not immediately clear whether senior political leaders from either side were directly participating in the discussions, says Bloomberg.

The diplomatic push comes as violence between Iran and Israel, with the United States involved, has raised fears of a wider regional conflict.

Saudi Arabia, along with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, has informed the United States and Israel that their airspace and territory cannot be used for attacks against Iran, according to people briefed on the discussions. At the same time, the Gulf states have urged Tehran to refrain from retaliating against them.

The outreach follows a cycle of hostilities that began on Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel carried out strikes against Iran. Tehran later responded with missile and drone attacks, escalating tensions across the region.

Despite the private diplomatic efforts, public statements from the parties involved have remained confrontational. The United States, Israel and Iran have all signaled that the conflict could continue, with U.S. President Donald Trump demanding Tehran's "unconditional surrender".

Before the latest hostilities, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had been working to improve ties with Iran and had supported efforts to reach a mediated diplomatic deal between Tehran and Washington, regional officials said.

Analysts say the current backchannel talks reflect concern among Gulf states that further escalation could draw them into a broader conflict and threaten regional stability.