Iran fully prepared to boost military cooperation with Saudi Arabia: Top general

Iran’s highest-ranking military commander says the country’s Armed Forces are fully prepared to promote military ties with Saudi Arabia.

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri made the announcement in a phone conversation with Saudi Arabian Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on Thursday.

Baqeri hailed the two countries’ efforts to improve amicable relations and Riyadh’s hosting of an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the Israel’s brutal attacks against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Salman, for his part, said Saudi Arabia welcomes the improvement of cooperation between the two countries’ Armed Forces.

Baqeri and Salman also discussed key issues of the Muslim world and invited each other to visit their respective countries.

Back in March, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed under a Chinese-brokered deal to restore diplomatic relations severed in 2016.

As part of a joint statement issued by the two sides, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to implement a security cooperation agreement signed in April 2001 and another accord reached in May 1998 to boost ties in various sectors.