Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal says interaction between Tehran and Riyadh is vital in the face of developments in the region and the Muslim world, Press TV reported.
The remarks were made during a meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Middle East affairs Mohammad Reza Sheibani in the Saudi capital of Riyadh on Monday, IRNA reported.
Al-Faisal stressed that "the current situation in the Muslim world" demanded closer ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, since both nations shared "similar religious and historical backgrounds."
The Iranian deputy foreign minister, for his part, said Tehran would welcome expansion of bilateral ties between the two Muslim nations.
According to Sheibani, regular meetings between Iranian and Saudi officials could help both nations deal with regional and Muslim world developments.
During the meeting, Sheibani submitted a written message from Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki to the Saudi foreign minister.
The Iranian foreign ministry official, who is heading a political delegation, arrived in Riyadh on Monday.
Earlier on Monday, Sheibani met with Saudi Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Jandan in Riyadh. The two officials discussed ways to improve Tehran-Riyadh ties.
In a telephone conversation in late October, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz exchanged views on the latest developments in the region.