A senior Saudi official confirmed discussions with Tehran, which he indicated “aim to explore ways to reduce tensions in the region”. “We hope they prove successful, but it is too early, and premature, to reach any definitive conclusions. Our evaluation will be based on verifiable deeds, and not proclamations”, he added. In related comments the previous day, a senior U.S. official alluded to “great discussions between Iran and some of their neighbours, and that’s something that the U.S., of course, welcomes”. The official also posited that “there needs to be those discussions… in terms of de-escalating the situation in the region and enhancing regional security, which does mean seeing changes in Iranian policy”.