RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi made a historic visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for a major summit on the Israel-Hamas war. This marked the first trip by an Iranian leader to Saudi Arabia in 11 years after the two countries restored diplomatic relations in March. In a significant diplomatic move, Raisi shook hands with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the heir to the Saudi throne and the country’s de facto ruler.

At the summit, Raisi emphasized that all attendees had gathered there on behalf of the Islamic world to “save the Palestinians.” He criticized the United States for its support of the Israeli offensive, stating that Washington is “the main partner in these crimes.” In response, MBS stated that the Kingdom “categorically rejects” the war to which Palestinians are being subjected and called for an immediate cessation of military operations.

The emergency gathering, titled the Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit, was hosted by Saudi Arabia in response to the “unprecedented circumstances in Gaza.” The meeting aimed to discuss ways to stop the “Israeli aggression on Gaza,” and was attended by a significant number of Arab leaders. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad also arrived for the summit, a sign of Syria’s rehabilitation among Arab states, following his participation at a regional meeting in May.

Raisi’s attendance at the summit is significant amid speculation that Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Islamist movement, could become a wildcard player in the war and spark a wider regional conflict. Since Israel’s war with Hamas broke out, Hezbollah’s political stance has unequivocally supported the Palestinian militants, adding complexity to the already tense situation in the Middle East.