NEW: Saudi Arabia, Iran Hold First Direct Talks Since Conflict Began

Saudi Arabia and Iran have initiated their first official high-level contact since the US-Israel conflict against Iran began on February 28. On Thursday, April 9, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. According to a statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry, this marked the first publicly announced direct communication between the two sides since Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Gulf neighbors, including Saudi Arabia, since hostilities erupted. “The call focused on reviewing developments in the situation and ways to slow the pace of tensions so as to help restore security and stability in the region,” a Saudi government spokesman said of the discussion. No separate detailed statement from the Iranian sid