Prospects for the resumption of Iran-Saudi Arabia relations

In the continuation of the note of 23 Aban 1400 of Hamshahri newspaper, written by Mosayeb Naeemi, an expert on regional issues, we read: Diplomatic talks to normalize Iran-Saudi relations have become more serious in recent months; Relations were severed in December 2015 following a series of regional and international political developments, after which the two countries experienced a period of stagnation in bilateral relations. For some time now, however, Iran and Saudi Arabia have been taking steps to untie the knots of the relationship; The path seems to be in three steps: “reopening consulates”, “normalizing relations” and finally “reopening embassies”.

The rift between Iran and Saudi Arabia is melting, while this does not seem to be easy to achieve, and despite recent diplomatic talks between the two countries, past problems are significant obstacles to normalizing relations. The consequences of the Yemeni war, paving the way for extra-regional forces to intervene in developments in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, and covering up the destructive activities of the United States in the region are among the challenges that Saudi Arabia, as the cause of them, must have.

Accordingly, and given the magnitude of the differences between the two sides, one can certainly not expect talks and consultations to normalize relations on several occasions and quickly lead to a final and positive result, but the point is that decision-makers in Saudi Arabia seem to have finally passed. Recognize the harmful effects of imposing the Yemeni war on the region, especially the people of this country; A war of attrition that ultimately ended to the detriment of Saudi Arabia and posed significant challenges to its regional and international position. In such circumstances, the foreign policy priorities of the Islamic Republic will play a significant role in untying the knots of this relationship; Because Iran has always emphasized that neighboring and Muslim countries are the priority of developing relations and will never be targeted by the Islamic Republic, and that is why it is hoped that Saudi Arabia will make mistakes in prioritizing the United States and the West to develop relations and presence in the region. بردببرد.

This is while based on the available information published by various sources, it seems that the negotiation process between Iran and Saudi Arabia has been promising and both sides agree in general on the resumption of bilateral relations. But the resumption of relations requires important steps on the part of Saudi Arabia, and the country must show its determination on the path to convergence. There is some evidence that Saudi Arabia intends to pursue what it did not achieve in the Yemeni war during the negotiations.

Although it appears that a general agreement has been reached to deploy groups to rebuild embassies in the two countries, reaching a general agreement faces some significant regional challenges that require serious determination by Saudi decision-makers; Because in the face of the regional policies of the Islamic Republic, this country has always been in the opposite position in recent years, and this issue requires principled decisions by this country. The point is that the Saudi side has extended the dispute with the Islamic Republic to all political and economic spheres, and this has made it somewhat more difficult to reach a comprehensive agreement to resolve the problems between them.

Saudi decision-makers have to make tough decisions to pave the way for a resumption of relations with Iran; Decisions that block the way for the Zionists to influence the developments in the region and deprive them of the fate of the Muslim people of the region. On the other hand, it should not take steps in the interests of the West and open the way for its Western partners to dominate the destiny of the people of the Middle East; This issue, in addition to the popular reactions, has caused Saudi Arabia to take a step that leads to the loss of its centrality in the Arab world. Recent developments in the Middle East, and especially in the Arab world, show that Saudi Arabia is losing its pivotal role in the region; The developments in Lebanon and the anger of the Lebanese people over the interventionist policies of the Saudis, the emergence of some differences with the Arab countries and even the gradual separation of the Lebanese path from the policies of the UAE in some areas, show the conflicting goals pursued by the Arab countries. Has encountered. All this while taking a realistic approach to Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy, especially in the area of ​​regional convergence, can save its decision-makers from the current crisis.