RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held separate phone calls with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, EU foreign policy chief Kaya Kallas, to discuss escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
According to the Saudi Foreign Ministry, the discussions focused on recent regional developments and their broader international implications.
The officials reviewed diplomatic efforts to contain the fallout from Israel’s recent strikes on Iranian targets and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation, which have raised concerns of a wider conflict in the Middle East and their impact on the region’s security and stability.
Over the past month, tensions between Iran and Israel erupted into direct conflict, beginning with Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion” in mid-June 2025. The strikes hit multiple Iranian targets, including nuclear and military sites, killing hundreds of civilians and high level Iranian military command. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities, targeting Israel's military and energy infrastructure causing civilian casualties and damage. Despite global appeals for calm, both sides remain defiant, fueling fears of wider regional conflict.
