Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh

Riyadh, Mar 7: Saudi Arabia has intensified direct diplomatic engagement with Iran in an effort to contain the escalating conflict in the Middle East, officials from several European nations said. The move comes as the ongoing war continues to unsettle global markets.

According to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, Saudi diplomats and security agencies have been working urgently to de-escalate tensions and prevent the conflict from worsening. Several European and Middle Eastern countries are reportedly supporting these efforts.

It remains unclear whether senior officials from either side have participated in the talks, and so far, Iran has shown little willingness to negotiate with the United States or Israel. Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The flare-up began after US-Israel strikes on Feb. 28, to which Iran responded with missile and drone attacks. Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, have warned Iran against retaliating on their territories, emphasizing that neither US nor Israeli forces can use Gulf airspace or soil for attacks on Tehran.

Public statements from Washington, Tel Aviv, and Tehran indicate the conflict is ongoing. US President Donald Trump on Friday insisted he would only accept Tehran’s “unconditional surrender.”

Sunni Arab states in the Gulf have long maintained tense relations with Iran, a Shia-majority country. However, in recent years, Saudi Arabia and the UAE had pursued diplomatic engagement with Iran, including efforts to mediate US-Iran talks through Oman before hostilities erupted.