Saudi Arabia Denies Engaging in Talks with Iran

A senior Saudi official denied reports about the kingdom engaging in talks with Iran, which were published by the British newspaper "Financial Times." The newspaper had reported, citing informed sources, that Saudi and Iranian officials held direct talks in Baghdad on April 9, following years of diplomatic rupture between the two countries. According to "Financial Times," the discussions included the attacks carried out by the Iranian-backed Houthi militias from Yemen against Saudi Arabia. The newspaper also mentioned that Baghdad facilitated the establishment of communication channels between Iran on one side and Egypt and Jordan on the other. It noted that "the talks come at a time when Joe Biden is seeking to revive the nuclear deal signed by Iran with world powers in 2015 and to ease regional tensions." It hinted that "another round of talks is scheduled for next week," mediated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. However, the newspaper quoted a senior Saudi official in the same report denying that any talks took place.