MBS Meets Iranian Foreign Min In Likely Precursor To Raisi Visit

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has met with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in Jeddah according to the Saudi state news agency. The two 'discussed the latest international regional developments' in what is likely to prove a precursor to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's upcoming (but as yet no-set-date) visit to Saudi Arabia. The meeting is the first between the Saudi crown prince and an Iranian minister since the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two regional powers in March.

• The meeting comes a short time ahead of the BRICS summit in South Africa, with both having officially applied to join the bloc. A Saudi representative is expected at the summit, but it is not yet confirmed whether Raisi (or another Iranian representative) will attend.
• Saudi Arabia is seen as one of the most likely nations to be accepted into the bloc (if further expansion is approved). However, any Iranian entry in the short term is viewed as unlikely as members such as Brazil and India view the move as too antagonistic towards the West and playing into a view of the BRICS as a counterweight to the G7.