Despite ongoing tensions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in the Persian Gulf, Saudi King Abdullah and Iranian President Mahmound Ahmadinejad have had two phone calls in as many weeks to discuss bilateral cooperation, and recent development in the Middle East and on the international scene.
The phone conversation between the two comes on the heels of Washington's announcement, Wednesday of its intention to sell a $60 billion of weaponry to its cornerstone Arab ally in the Gulf. The arms deal is considered a method for reinforcing Saudi Arabia against Iran as the US pincers the Islamic republic with troops and bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.