Iran and Saudi Arabia want to restore diplomatic relations after years of conflict. As a first step, the foreign ministers of the rival countries want to meet. Accordingly, senior government officials in China signed a corresponding agreement. The two countries are vying for political and military influence in the Middle East.
Riyadh and Tehran want to settle differences in dialogue, according to a statement from the Saudi state agency SPA. Both countries also agreed to reopen their embassies within two months.
Politically explosive
The meeting of the foreign ministers will also discuss the establishment of trade relations and cooperation in the field of security. The rapprochement between the two regional powers is also explosive in world politics, as Saudi Arabia is considered an ally of the US, while Iran maintains close relations with Russia and China.
Chance of an end to the civil war in Yemen?
Observers say the agreement could have a positive effect on efforts to end Yemen’s civil war. This is widely seen as a proxy war between Riyadh and Tehran. The Shiite Houthi rebels are backed by Iran and the Yemeni government through a Saudi-led military coalition. The Houthi rebels’ chief negotiator, Mohammed Abdulsalam, welcomed the rapprochement between the two regional powers on Friday. The region needs a resumption of “normal relations” between countries.
In 2016, contacts were broken
Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran have not maintained diplomatic relations in recent years. Riyadh cut official ties with Tehran in January 2016 in response to an attack by Iranian protesters at the Saudi embassy in Iran. The protests were sparked by the execution of Saudi Arabia’s prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. In recent years, the two states have also fought their rivalry in military conflicts in the region, for example in Yemen.
Over the past year, the two sides have approached each other cautiously on a diplomatic level. Several rounds of talks were held in Iraq with Iranian and Saudi officials, mostly focusing on security issues. Influential Iranian politician Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Security Council, was reportedly back in Baghdad for talks in recent days. In addition to Iraq, Oman had also played a role as a mediator.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
