Iran and Saudi Arabia have ushered in another important day, following the Beijing meeting in the Middle East region | relations | Iran and Saudi Arabia

"Today is an important day in the relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia," said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Bigdelli.

After seven years of closure, the Iranian Embassy in Saudi Arabia officially reopened on the 6th local time in the presence of diplomatic officials from both countries. Foreign media reported that the reconciliation reached through China's mediation has redrawn the diplomatic map of the Middle East region.

Shayi Cooperation "Entering a New Era"

According to Iranian media reports, on the 6th local time, the Iranian embassy reopened the flag raising ceremony in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Dozens of officials from both countries, including Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Bideri and Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Yusuf, participated.

Bigdelli stated at the ceremony that this day is an important day in the relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and the cooperation between the two countries has entered a new era.

On the same day, UN Secretary General's spokesperson Diarik said, "I believe that any open and constructive dialogue between two countries, especially those with such influence in the Gulf region, can contribute to the development of the region."

The history of Saudi Arabia's interaction with Iran is complex and intricate. Since the 1970s, the two countries have experienced challenges such as sectarian conflicts, clashes around the Syrian battlefield, and struggles in the Yemen conflict, and have formed many grievances. Eventually, diplomatic relations were severed in 2016.

Seven years later, with China's mediation, Saudi Arabia and Iran reached an agreement to restore diplomatic relations, reopen their embassies and representative offices, arrange for the exchange of ambassadors, and explore strengthening bilateral relations. Now, everything is steadily progressing.

Lebanese analyst Hatib believes that this agreement will benefit both Iran and Saudi Arabia from stability. Iran is facing domestic and international pressure, as well as issues such as the Iran nuclear agreement. "For them, the best situation is to live in peace with neighboring countries.". Meanwhile, the smooth implementation of the agreement will reduce the instability factors in the region and is in line with Saudi Arabia's 2030 vision.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kanani previously stated that the Iranian Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the Iranian Consulate in Jeddah have begun operations to assist Iranian pilgrims in their pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

In addition to improving bilateral relations, the Shai Agreement will also help alleviate tensions in the Gulf region. UN Secretary General Guterres pointed out that restoring relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran is an "important progress" in increasing regional stability.

The article on the website of the International Crisis Organization points out that this progress will help open the door to security dialogue between Gulf Arab countries, Iran, and Iraq, which can serve as a platform for multiple parties to discuss their own security concerns. Officials from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Oman praised the agreement as a "step towards stability and prosperity" that benefits all parties.

Al Jazeera stated that due to the restoration of diplomatic relations by the Shah, countries in the region are gradually seeking to normalize their relations with Syria. In May 2023, Syrian President Assad attended the Arab League summit, and Iranian President Lehi visited Syria for the first time in over 12 years.

The Shai reconciliation has also set an example for other countries. Qatar and Bahrain announced their agreement to formally resume diplomatic relations, Yemen's peace process has made positive progress, and Türkiye Egypt relations have continued to improve... The "tide of reconciliation" that followed in the Middle East has brought more opportunities for regional development.

The Diplomatic Example of the Post American Era

In the process of resuming diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, China played a diplomatic mediation role and became a "peace ambassador".

On April 6th, witnessed by the Chinese Foreign Minister, the two sides signed a joint statement announcing the resumption of diplomatic relations from today onwards. The President of Iran and the King of Saudi Arabia have also issued an invitation for mutual visits and received a positive response from the other party.

Karim Sajapur, Senior Researcher at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, pointed out that the normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran mediated by China may be the first important diplomatic example for the Middle East in the post American era.

Faisal Abbas, editor in chief of the Saudi Arabian News, pointed out that China maintains a neutral position in the region and focuses its policies on trade and commerce.

Trita Pasi, Executive Vice President of Quincy Research Institute, stated that China has played a crucial role in the reconciliation process between Saudi Arabia and Iran. He pointed out that unlike the United States' support for Israel and Saudi Arabia to confront Iran, "China has not taken sides between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and is striving not to be involved in the conflict, so it can play a role in promoting peace."

Pasi believes that for countries like Saudi Arabia, the United States has been the only viable partner in the past decade, but now China can provide support to these countries.

"Seeking peace" is the aspiration of people

Starting from April 2023, the Saudi delegation went to Tehran, the capital of Iran, to conduct inspections to reopen the embassy and consulate in Mashhad.

At the same time, as Iran's relations with Gulf Arab countries continue to heat up, cooperation between countries in this region is expected to continue to expand.

According to Iranian media reports, Iranian Navy Commander Shahram Ilani recently stated that Iran plans to form a naval alliance with Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Pakistan and India, to maintain regional stability.

According to the trilateral joint statement by China, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, the two sides also agreed to activate the security cooperation agreement and the overall agreement in the fields of economy, trade, investment, technology, science, culture, sports, and youth previously signed by the two countries.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated at a press conference on April 6, 2023 that the further improvement of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran fully demonstrates that regional countries have the willingness and ability to take the lead in regional peace and development. The recent series of interactions in the Middle East also indicates that seeking peace and development is the common aspiration and trend of the people in the region.

Mao Ning pointed out that as a good friend and partner of Middle Eastern countries, China will continue to respect the ownership status of Middle Eastern countries and is a force supporting reconciliation, peace, and harmony in the Middle East. China will work together with Middle Eastern countries to implement the Global Security Initiative, Global Development Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, promoting security, stability, development, prosperity, inclusiveness, and harmony in the Middle East.