Iranian president’s historic visit to Saudi Arabia for a summit focused on Gaza

After Tehran and Riyadh normalised relations earlier this year, Ebrahim Raisi is travelling there.

Just before his arrival in Riyadh on Saturday for a meeting with leaders of the Arab and Islamic worlds, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated that “action” rather than “words” is required to resolve the conflicts between Israel and Palestine. This is the Iranian president’s first trip to Saudi Arabia since diplomatic relations between the two nations were restored in March according to an agreement mediated by China.

Officials greeted Raisi at the airport prior to a combined meeting of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss the hostilities in Gaza. Raisi arrived in the Saudi capital wearing a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarf.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry stated on Friday that the two regional blocs would be meeting together instead of separately as originally planned.

“Gaza is not a place for discourse. Before leaving for Riyadh, Raisi stated in Tehran, “It should be for action,” according to Reuters. “It is crucial for Islamic countries to remain united today.”

In addition, the Saudi official agency stated on Friday that the joint summit underscores the necessity of “unified efforts to come up with a collective Arab and Islamic position to address the dangerous and unprecedented developments witnessed in Gaza and the Palestinian territories and contain their repercussions.”

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In response to the cross-border attack by Hamas terrorists on October 7, Israel has been bombarding the densely populated Gaza region. A number of Middle Eastern officials have urged for a truce. Israel revised down its earlier estimate of 1,400 persons dead in the Hamas attack to about 1,200 people, the most of whom were civilians, on Friday.

Over 11,000 individuals have reportedly perished as a result of Israeli strikes carried out in fulfilment of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow to “eliminate Hamas,” according to Palestinian sources. Children make up about 40% of those slain, according to the Health Ministry of the region.

Raisi criticised Washington’s unwavering backing for Israel in the war prior to the trip. According to Reuters, he stated on Saturday that “America says it doesn’t want an expansion of the war and has sent messages to Iran and several countries [to this effect]”. “However, these claims do not align with American policy.”

“America controls the war machine in Gaza, blocking a ceasefire and escalating the conflict. The real face of America needs to be shown by the world, Raisi continued.

There is now “no possibility” of a ceasefire in Gaza, US President Joe Biden told reporters this week at the White House, claiming that doing so would just give Hamas a chance to regroup and launch another offensive on Israel.