The relationship between the two countries is rapidly recovering, and the future is promising. Iran's Foreign Minister visits Saudi Arabia for the first time in many years for reconciliation | Middle East region | Foreign Minister
On August 17th local time, Iranian Foreign Minister Abdullah Heyyan arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh for talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal. This is the first time a senior Iranian official has visited Saudi Arabia since the two countries severed diplomatic ties in 2016.
On August 17, 2023, the Saudi Foreign Minister and the Iranian Foreign Minister held a joint press conference.
Two full months ago, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal visited the Iranian capital Tehran and met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abdullah Heyyan and Iranian President Lehi. The two foreign ministers achieved mutual visits within just two months, marking the acceleration of the recovery process of bilateral relations.
On March 10th, with China's mediation, Saudi Arabia and Iran reached an agreement to restore bilateral diplomatic relations.
On April 6th, Saudi Arabia and Iran signed a joint statement announcing the resumption of diplomatic relations from today onwards.
On June 6th, the Iranian Embassy in Saudi Arabia reopened.
On June 7th, the Iranian Consulate General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and the representative office of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation reopened.
On August 6th, the Saudi Embassy in Iran officially began its work.
On August 12th, the Saudi Consulate in Mashhad, Iran officially resumed consular activities.
In addition to the intensive efforts to restore diplomatic institutions between the two sides, the two meetings during the mutual visits of the two foreign ministers were also full of information. Both sides conducted in-depth discussions on the development of bilateral relations and how to strengthen cooperation in the economic and security fields, jointly committed to maintaining stability and peace in the Middle East region. Abdulrahijan also stated at a press conference on August 17th that the Iranian President will be invited to visit Saudi Arabia in the near future, opening a new chapter in the development of bilateral relations.
On June 6, 2023, the Iranian Embassy in Saudi Arabia reopened.
On June 17, 2023, the Iranian President held talks with the visiting Saudi Foreign Minister.
Sayy and explain positive signals
Assist in improving the regional security situation
The public opinion in Middle Eastern countries believes that the continued warming of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran will have many positive impacts on the Middle East region.
Firstly, the recovery of bilateral relations will help alleviate the current diplomatic difficulties between the two countries. Iran is facing various pressures both domestically and internationally, as well as issues related to the Iran nuclear agreement. Achieving peaceful coexistence with its former "arch rival" Saudi Arabia will alleviate Iran's diplomatic pressure in the surrounding areas and thus gain more initiative in negotiating the Iran nuclear agreement. Saudi Arabia also has the opportunity to quickly withdraw from the Yemen conflict, stop losses in a timely manner, and invest more energy in the implementation of the 2030 Vision. Both countries can reduce consumption in the diplomatic field and shift their focus to promoting their own economic and social development.
Secondly, the recovery of bilateral relations will help lead the wave of reconciliation in the Middle East region. The Middle East has always been a confluence of various contradictions, and the handshake and reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the "enemies of the century," have brought hope for reconciliation among Middle Eastern countries. After the reconciliation of the Shah, it quickly triggered a chain reaction in the Middle East: Syria resumed diplomatic relations with multiple Arab countries, and the Syrian President attended the Arab League summit again after 12 years; Qatar has successively resumed diplomatic relations with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates; Egypt Türkiye relations continued to improve; The peace process in Yemen has made phased progress... The wave of reconciliation in the Middle East has brought more opportunities for regional development.
On May 19, 2023, Syrian President Bashar attended the Arab League summit after a 12 year hiatus.
△ On August 1, 2023, the Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry visited Türkiye for the first time in 10 years.
Once again, the recovery of bilateral relations will help stimulate the sense of autonomy of Middle Eastern countries. For a long time, the instability in the Middle East has been closely related to the intervention of foreign forces. In recent decades, the United States has been involved in wars such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Libya, constantly intervening in the Middle East under the pretext of exporting democracy and freedom, leading to the escalation of existing conflicts and contradictions among countries. The realization of the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and the Middle East has gradually made the people of various countries realize that only by taking control of their own destiny and focusing on their own economic and social development can they move towards true peace.
Promoting the reconciliation process is a long and arduous task
Excluding external intervention is imperative
Over the past half century, the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran has gone through ups and downs, and has been influenced and constrained by multiple factors such as geopolitical, economic and social, and religious traditions. However, analysis suggests that the focus of the conflict between the two sides lies in "who is the leader of the Middle Eastern countries and the Islamic world", which is also a deep-seated conflict between the two countries that needs to be gradually resolved through long-term efforts and adjustment.
Previously, Saudi Arabia and Iran had reached a state of intense hostility, with the United States as the mastermind behind it. Therefore, the stability and long-term development of bilateral relations require the elimination of external interference. Restoring diplomatic relations is only the first step, but taking the first step is crucial. After the normalization of bilateral relations, both sides can engage in practical cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, and security on the basis of common interests, continuously expanding and extending existing areas of cooperation.
As regional powers in the Middle East, achieving reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran is of great significance and has a promising future. At the same time, the reconciliation process is also a long and arduous task that requires both sides to work together to oppose the intervention of foreign forces, constantly maintain trust and dispel doubts, enhance consensus, and promote the continuous development of the reconciliation process.
