Iran-Saudi Arabia Normalize Relations: Creating New Momentum for Regional Cooperation

SGGP 03/13/2023 06:04

On March 12, international public opinion continued to welcome the normalization and resumption of bilateral relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia after 7 years of hostility in the Middle East. This historic event not only helps promote bilateral relations between the two countries, but also affects the political situation in the Middle East.

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Iran and Saudi Arabia have been at loggerheads since they severed diplomatic relations in January 2016 over disagreements over Syria, Yemen, and the situation in Bahrain and Lebanon. Meanwhile, the Riyadh government is also concerned about Iran's nuclear program.

In the joint statement, Iran and Saudi Arabia warmly thanked China for its mediation role, but did not forget that this process was initiated under the auspices of Iraq and Oman from 2021-2022.

Accordingly, Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations, reopening diplomatic missions in each country after years of hostility that threatened stability and security in the Gulf region, even igniting conflicts in the Middle East from Yemen to Syria. The two sides agreed to reopen embassies and diplomatic representative offices for a maximum of two more months. The agreement affirms “respect for the sovereignty of countries and non-interference in the internal affairs of countries”.

Iran-Saudi Arabia normalize relations: Creating new momentum for regional cooperation photo 1

Former Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (center) with Iran's Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani (right) and Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Musaad bin Mohammed Al Aiban, in Beijing (photo taken March 10, 2023). Photo: REUTERS

The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia will meet again in the coming days to finalize the next steps, such as arranging the exchange of ambassadors and discussing ways to strengthen bilateral ties. The two sides will also launch the 2001 security cooperation agreement and the 1998 general agreement on cooperation in various fields.

The global order is changing

Many countries and organizations have expressed support for the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia following recent talks in China. Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hussain Ibrahim Taha, etc. expressed hope that the agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran will contribute to strengthening the pillars of peace, security and stability in the region, while creating new momentum for cooperation among OIC member states.

In a statement of welcome, the European Union (EU) stressed that Saudi Arabia and Iran are both central to regional security, so the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which were interrupted since 2016, could contribute to the stability of the entire region. The EU is ready to engage all actors in the region in a gradual, comprehensive and fully transparent approach with the priority of promoting peace and stability and reducing tensions in the Middle East.

According to some observers, the agreement Tehran reached with Riyadh in Beijing allows Iran to strengthen its position in Syria and Yemen. In addition, normalizing relations with Riyadh through Beijing's mediation shows that China's influence over Iran is growing in the context of the US maintaining economic sanctions aimed at weakening the ruling regime in Tehran.

The announcement by the Middle East’s two Muslim rivals, Iran and Saudi Arabia, one Shia and the other Sunni, is a major victory for Chinese diplomacy, even though the reconciliation process began in Iraq in 2021. China’s efforts to broker a deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia have been seen by analysts as a broader sign of a “changing global order.”

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