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The Saudi Press Agency reported that Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa the day before its July 31 release. At the outset Al-Sharaa reiterated Syria’s condemnation and denunciation of the attempted targeting of Saudi oil facilities by Iran-backed militias operating from Iraq. The Syrian president affirmed his country’s steadfast support for the Kingdom’s security and sovereignty while the two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and ways to advance cooperation between the two countries.
The conversation also touched on regional and international developments together with ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and bolster security and stability across the area, the Saudi Press Agency added in its statement. Such high-level contacts have occurred periodically as Riyadh and Damascus work to rebuild ties after the political transition in Syria. The release described the nations as brotherly partners seeking deeper collaboration in multiple fields.
A Wall Street Journal report four days earlier stated that Saudi Arabia intercepted a number of drones launched at its oil facilities by Iran-backed militias based in Iraq. The New York Times similarly reported that the Saudi defense ministry blamed Iranian-affiliated terrorist militias for the assaults on petroleum sites in the Eastern Province and Riyadh and called on Baghdad to prevent its territory from being used for such attacks. Saudi Arabia responded with strikes on the militias in coordination with U.S. forces, according to accounts of the operation that followed more than 30 attempted drone launches over a short period.
The Saudi Press Agency has issued several statements in recent months detailing comparable calls between Mohammed bin Salman and Al-Sharaa that addressed economic recovery in Syria and opportunities to strengthen economic and political links. Those earlier exchanges came after Al-Sharaa assumed leadership in Damascus in late 2024 following the ouster of the previous government. The pattern of communication reflects Riyadh’s engagement with the new Syrian authorities amid shifting regional dynamics.
Both sides have repeatedly emphasized coordination on de-escalation initiatives aimed at reducing conflict risks in the wider Middle East. The latest call occurs against a backdrop of heightened alerts over proxy activities by groups aligned with Tehran. Iraqi authorities face continued pressure to tighten controls along borders to curb militant movements and launches, as referenced in Saudi defense statements carried by international outlets.
