Iran’s deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday to take part in high-level talks attended by senior officials from Muslim countries on the ongoing conflict in Yemen.

Abdollahian arrived in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, on Monday to attend a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation [OIC] on the conflict in Yemen.

The meeting, which is to be held on Tuesday in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, is based on a request by the deposed government of Yemen, the OIC said in a statement, adding that the gathering has the backing of the majority of its member states.

Abdollahian’s visit to Riyadh is the first such high-level trip by an Iranian official since Saudi Arabia began its aggression against Yemen almost three months ago in March. The attacks, which have been mostly in the form of deadly airstrikes targeting population centers and sensitive infrastructure across Yemen have claimed more than 2,300 lives, according to the UN. 

Iran and Saudi Arabia have been at odds over some regional issues; however, Iran has repeatedly called for negotiations on major regional developments.

In his recent remarks on Yemen, Abdollahian said that Iran stands ready to engage in dialog and cooperation with its "neighbors and friends" in the Middle East on regional security, stability and sustainable development.

He said recently on Thursday that such talks could also have Saudi Arabia as a major partner.

"The regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, can play a pivotal role in assisting peace, stability and security in the region," he said.

Moreover, the OIC meeting will come just one day after Yemen’s political factions gather in Geneva in Switzerland for UN-sponsored talks. The talks in Geneva aim to secure a ceasefire, and accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the war-stricken Yemeni people.