The rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran could bring stability to the Middle East

Saudi Arabia and Iran, at odds for years, could be close to establishing formal relations. Recently, several international media reported on an alleged meeting between senior Iranian and Saudi officials in Baghdad. The governments of the two countries did not report on the meeting, which would aim to bring positions closer. The two Middle Eastern powers ceased their diplomatic relations in 2016, with episodes such as the one in which Iran attacked the Saudi Embassy in Tehran. Since then, ties between the two nations have been strained by conflicts in the region, such as the war in Yemen. Saudi Arabia has accused Iran on numerous occasions of supporting the Houthi rebels, militias that the Riyadh-led coalition is fighting in the country. Another point where the two countries are at odds is Syria. Tehran has supported the Syrian government, as it tries to expand its influence in the country through Shiite militias. On the contrary, Saudi Arabia does not have a good relationship with Bashar al-Assad. In addition, Riyadh was one of the promoters of the expulsion of Syria from the Arab League. Saudi Arabia and Iran not only fight on the geopolitical level of the Middle East, but also maintain a rivalry in the religious sphere. The Saudi kingdom represents the Sunni branch of Islam while Iran is the largest Shiite Muslim country, representing and supporting Shiite groups in the region. Iran’s nuclear race has also raised suspicions in Riyadh. Tehran’s recent decision to start enriching its uranium supply to 60% purity could have been the trigger for these two nations to come together.Saudi Arabia takes the first step Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman (MBS) expressed his desire to defuse tensions with Iran in an interview a few days ago. “Iran is a neighboring country. All we ask is to have a good and distinguished relationship with Iran. We do not want the situation with Iran to be difficult, “declared Bin Salman, confirming the possibility of rapprochement. MBS also alluded to the stability and prosperity of the Middle East, which would benefit from this union. “We have Saudi interests in Iran, and they have Iranian interests in Saudi Arabia, which should boost prosperity and growth in the region and the entire world,” added the Saudi heir. Four years ago, an approximation with Iran. “The common points on which we can agree with this regime are non-existent,” MBS said in an interview. But what has changed in these four years for the Saudi heir to his approval of a rapprochement with Iran? Since the United States abandoned the nuclear agreement, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned on numerous occasions that Iran will not respect the covenant. The IAEA announced in 2020 that the Persian country exceeded the established uranium reserve limit by ten times. Currently enriching uranium to 60% is close to the 90% needed to produce an atomic bomb, according to Iranian state media. The nuclear threat posed by Iran may have prompted Saudi Arabia to try to move closer to Tehran, and the need to seek a solution to the extensive wars that rage across the Middle East and in which these countries are directly or indirectly involved may also be one of the reasons. of the possible approach.Countries like Syria, Yemen or Iraq have been bleeding for years, while their conflicts destabilize other nations in the area. Saudi Arabia and the United States, allied countries, met last Friday to promote a peace process and a ceasefire in Yemen. “The two sides reviewed joint efforts to reach a political solution to the Yemeni crisis,” reported the Saudi news agency SPA. Also, in search of a cessation of violence, Riyadh proposed a truce to the Houthi rebels, related to Iran. These measures throw hope to Yemen, which suffers the greatest humanitarian tragedy in the world according to the UN. 80% of the Yemeni population needs assistance to meet their basic needs. “Our problem is Iran’s negative behavior, from its nuclear program, to its support for proscribed militias in the region, or its launching of ballistic missiles,” said MBS. . However, the Saudi prince conveyed his hope to “build a good and positive relationship with Iran that benefits all parties.” Tehran has welcomed Saudi Arabia’s change of tone. “With negotiations and a constructive perspective, the two important countries in the region and the Islamic world can put their differences behind and enter a new phase of cooperation and tolerance to bring stability and peace to the region,” said Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Likewise, Iran has claimed to be “a pioneer in regional cooperation.” However, mistrust and rivalry between the two powers remains latent. On Saturday, Eshaq Jahangiri, the Iranian vice president, accused Saudi Arabia and Israel of leaking a recording of the foreign minister.”I think there is an Israeli-Saudi conspiracy behind the recording,” said the politician. This recording would be related to the Vienna negotiations. This demonstrates the complexity of the rapprochement process between Riyadh and Tehran. Iraq’s role Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kazemi has been the intermediary in the talks between authorities of the two countries. “Both need several rounds to break the ice and build trust between them,” a senior Iraqi official told Middle East Eye. Likewise, this official has described the initial negotiations as “promising”, assuring that the dialogue that continues under the Iraq organization, which “will play a positive role in the region.” “Both parties have a strong desire to resolve their disputes,” the official added. The United States continues to view Iran as “the main threat.” Saudi Arabia is, along with Israel, Washington’s main ally in the area. However, relations between the two countries have cooled due to Joe Biden’s criticism of the Kingdom. The US government published a report on journalist Jamal Khashoggi, exposing Crown Prince MBS as the driving force behind his assassination. However, Washington did not impose Riyadh sanctions. The United States also suspended arms sales to Saudi Arabia in order to withdraw its intervention in Yemen. Riad, aware of the new course imposed by the White House, has changed its behavior. With the arrival of the new US president, several prisoners were released and the blockade with Qatar ended. Last week, the Saudi king invited the emir of Doha. Saudi Arabia has had to adjust to the new Democratic president and his goals of advancing human rights.However, during the Trump administration, the two countries strengthened their ties, and Washington has yet to comment on this process of rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran. However, the US Administration has produced its annual intelligence report, known as the Annual Threat Assessment, in which it classifies Iran as “the main threat.” A threat not only to the United States, but also to its allies in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia.