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Iran, Saudi Arabia Reportedly in Contact, Despite Official Saudi Denial

Edward Yeranian

   CAIRO - Iran and Saudi Arabia are reportedly in contact following a
   destructive drone attack on a Saudi oil refinery, despite denials from
   Riyadh.

   Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani told al-Jazeera TV on Tuesday
   that Tehran "welcomes any negotiations with Saudi Arabia ... because
   talks with Riyadh can resolve many regional problems and issues."
   Iran's government spokesman Ali Rabiei told journalists that Tehran
   "has received an indirect message from Riyadh from the leader of
   another country," but he refused to say which one.

   Riyadh's minister of state for foreign affairs, Adel Jubeir, countered
   those claims in a series of tweets Wednesday, saying "it is not correct
   that Saudi Arabia sent a message to Tehran, but that the leader of a
   friendly country sought to calm the situation and Riyadh told him that
   its position has always been to seek security and stability in the
   region."

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