King expresses hope for direct Iran talks

Saudi Arabia’s monarch expressed hope on Wednesday that the kingdom’s direct talks with Iran will lead to confidence building as the two regional rivals take small steps toward dialogue following several years of heightened tensions. King Salman bin Abdulaziz made the remarks in a prerecorded speech delivered to leaders gathered for the United Nations General Assembly. He said Iran is a neighbor of Saudi Arabia, and that the kingdom hopes talks between the two nations can lead to tangible results that pave the way to achieving the aspirations of the region’s people. Iran has also vowed to strengthen relations with neighbors.