Saudi Crown Prince Meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Signals Improving Relations
DUBAI, Aug 18 (Reuters) – In a significant development, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Friday, marking the highest-level talks between the two countries since they reconciled in March. This meeting comes after years of bitter rivalry that destabilized the region.
According to Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim, Amirabdollahian stated that the Saudi crown prince has accepted his invitation to visit Tehran following their meeting. This invitation signifies a major step in the ongoing efforts to mend relations between the two nations.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been striving to reorient Saudi foreign policy, especially in light of the strains in its historically close relationship with the United States. These talks with Iran demonstrate an attempt to diversify Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic ties and seek regional stability.
The meeting between the Saudi crown prince and Iran’s foreign minister took place in Jeddah, and it occurred a day after Amirabdollahian had declared that ties between the two countries were “on the right track” during his meeting with Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
Following the meeting, Amirabdollahian took to social media and described the discussions as “frank, beneficial, and productive.” He emphasized that both countries agree on the security and development of the region.
Footage of the meeting, shown on Iranian state media, displayed Prince Mohammed and Amirabdollahian exchanging smiles during their conversation, while Prince Faisal and the Iranian delegation observed.
The rivalry between Iran’s revolutionary Shiite Muslim leaders and Saudi Arabia’s Sunni ruling family has dominated the Middle East for years, with both countries competing for influence in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Bahrain amidst sectarian bloodshed.
However, a significant breakthrough occurred in March when China brokered a reconciliation between the two nations, leading to the resumption of full diplomatic relations. This reconciliation followed Saudi Arabia’s decision to break off ties with Iran in 2016 after protesters attacked its embassy in Tehran in response to Riyadh’s execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.
In June, Prince Faisal paid a visit to Tehran and expressed his hope that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi would reciprocate by visiting the kingdom at an opportune time.
Both Iran and Saudi Arabia now have reasons to reassess their approach, as some of the major regional arenas for their competition have become more stable than before.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei seeks to end the political and economic isolation imposed by the United States and views improved relations with Saudi Arabia as a means to achieve this objective, according to Iranian officials.
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has become disillusioned with the US’ commitment to shared regional security concerns. Consequently, the kingdom has been seeking to strengthen ties with China, which maintains good relations with Iran. Saudi Arabia recently succeeded in persuading China to attend a diplomatic meeting on Ukraine that Beijing had previously avoided.
In addition, Prince Faisal had a phone conversation with US Secretary General Antony Blinken, in which they discussed the need for greater coordination to enhance “security and stability in the Middle East region,” as reported by Saudi state media.
The meeting between the Saudi crown prince and Iran’s foreign minister marks a significant turning point in their relationship, signaling a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue and cooperation. As these diplomatic efforts progress, the region’s dynamics could undergo a transformative shift.
Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Mark Potter and Conor Humphries
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