TEHRAN, May 6 (Xinhua) -- The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday underscored the need for greater regional cooperation to prevent an escalation of tensions, according to statements from both governments.
In a phone call, Iran's foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, discussed recent regional developments and efforts to preserve security and stability, the two sides said.
Both ministers stressed the importance of sustained diplomacy and closer coordination among countries in West Asia to ease tensions and avert further conflict, according to Iran's Foreign Ministry.
The call came amid a recent spike in tensions between Iran and the United Arab Emirates. The UAE has accused Iran of carrying out missile and drone attacks against Arab states, an allegation Tehran has denied.
Tensions across the region have been heightened since Feb. 28, when Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran, triggering a conflict that lasted nearly six weeks before a ceasefire took effect on April 8. During the fighting, Iranian airstrikes hit military and civilian sites in Gulf Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, drawing condemnation from the Arab world. ■
