After Normalization, This Is How Iranian Media Moved From Demonizing Saudi Arabia to Celebrating It

In a major shift in its media discourse, the conservative Principlists Iranian movement celebrated the visit of Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan, to Tehran on June 17, 2023, welcoming the restoration of ties between the two countries.

Bin Farhan arrived in Tehran, marking the first visit by a Saudi foreign minister to Iran in over a decade. He met with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and the President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, following the announcement of the resumption of bilateral relations between the two nations under Chinese mediation in March 2023.

 

Ending Interventions

During his joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart on June 18, 2023, Bin Farhan emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two countries in regional security, particularly in maritime security, waterways, and cooperation among all regional countries to ensure their freedom from weapons of mass destruction.

The Saudi minister also emphasized that bilateral relations are now based on a clear foundation of mutual respect, independence, and non-interference in internal affairs.

He added that cooperation between Riyadh and Tehran is crucial regarding regional security, especially maritime security and waterways, and that it can only be guaranteed by regional actors, as both countries overlook the Gulf, which is a significant transit route for global oil exports.

Amir-Abdollahian stated during the press conference that security is vital for the countries in the region, adding: “Iran never considers security equivalent to militarism but rather a broad concept encompassing political, cultural, social, economic, and commercial aspects.”

After his meeting with Abdollahian, the Saudi minister met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and received an invitation from King Salman bin Abdulaziz to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia soon.

Raisi stated that Iran has no objection to enhancing relations with Islamic countries, clarifying that those who are described as “enemies of Muslims” are the ones opposing the development of bilateral and regional cooperation between Tehran and Riyadh.

According to the Iranian government news agency IRNA, Raisi welcomed the restoration of relations between Riyadh and Tehran, describing Iran and Saudi Arabia as important and influential countries in the Islamic world, and that the Islamic peoples welcome the restoration of ties between the two countries.

The Iranian President also mentioned the region suffers from various problems and issues that negatively affect the Islamic world, and overcoming these problems is possible through cooperation and dialogue among the region’s countries without the need for foreign intervention.

Raisi touched upon Iran’s successful experience in combating terrorism and eliminating terrorist groups, considering that this experience could be a focal point for cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, according to the agency.

 

Radical Transformations

Amidst bin Farhan’s presence in Tehran, conservative newspapers and their followers celebrated the visit, which marked a significant shift from the previous years of harsh rhetoric and attacks against Saudi Arabia, most Arab countries, as well as Western countries close to the United States.

Kayhan, a newspaper affiliated with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, stated in an article on June 18, 2023, that the rational policy based on strategies of mutual interests has proven that nothing is impossible with determination and the challenge to create miracles, especially in serving the fronts for relative stability.

This visit means that all previous assumptions were wrong, and the bet to hinder an agreement that displeased some has failed. The symbolism of the Beijing agreement is materializing in the right direction, according to the report.

This convergence of positivity amidst the course of relations between the two countries will have reverberations on various issues and crises at different stages.

The fruits of this cooperation may serve the interests of the region, far from international or external interventions.

Riyadh and Tehran have set a new self-drawn map, focusing on significant shifts in the balance of power in the region that will have a positive impact on various geopolitical issues, emphasizing the importance of a far-reaching regional security system, free from foreign interventions.

For the political credit line to be successful, the countries must work to pacify the region away from conflicts and tensions, as common economic interests in any country require security and stability, according to the report.

Achieving development requires the presence of elements of tranquility and stability, and there is no development in the presence of underdeveloped countries that need stability. This may be what both parties are aiming for.

The report stated that there are joint visions between Iran and Saudi Arabia regarding regional management, a scene that was absent for decades.

Therefore, there are radical and immense transformations in the Middle East, built upon resolving problems, which may be followed by multiple stages at the level of bilateral files in economic partnership and small projects that are the outcome of the Beijing agreement, according to the same report.

 

Changing Revolutionary Positions

On the other hand, the reformist newspaper, Ham-Mihan, quoted political analyst Mehdi Motaharnia as saying that the economic and political circumstances that Iran is going through have compelled the self-proclaimed revolutionary government to backtrack and accept political realities.

He pointed out on June 18, 2023, that this government, after reaching an agreement with Saudi Arabia, is now considering reaching an agreement with Washington as well, which confirms a complete withdrawal from revolutionary positions.

On the other hand, reformist writer Ahmad Zeidabadi stated that the main goal of the Saudi foreign minister’s visit to Tehran is the Lebanese crisis, believing that the presidential crisis in Lebanon has reached its peak, and it is impossible to envision a solution without genuine cooperation between Tehran and Riyadh.

The writer added in statements reported by the opposition website, Iran International, on June 18, 2023, that if the two parties fail to reach an agreement regarding Lebanon, the reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia will face numerous challenges and difficulties.

Former Iranian diplomat Md. Mahbub Ali said during an article published by the reformist newspaper Setareyeh Sobh on June 18, 2023, that the restructuring of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia and their institutionalization will not occur until sanctions on Tehran are lifted.

Ali clarified that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s focus on the economy, development, and the sovereignty of economic power is what has prompted him to seek rapprochement with Iran primarily, in addition to security interests and maintaining regional power balance.

Iran has gone through difficult circumstances in recent years, especially in the second half of last year (2022), and it feels the need to rebuild its relationships with parties that can play a role in normalizing Iranian foreign policy and achieving internal peace, according to the Iranian diplomat.

Saudi Arabia is pursuing a comprehensive and moderate policy compared to the past because it feels the need for security to achieve its economic goals and become an economic powerhouse in the region. It is trying to rebuild and update its relationships with currents that may affect its security.

He concluded that the experience has shown that whenever Arabs wanted to approach “Israel,” they presented Iran with an open door, seeking to control the situation.

This is what the UAE did, and today it seems that Saudi Arabia is attempting to restore relations with Tehran to enhance its relationship with “Tel Aviv.”

The kingdom severed its ties with Iran in 2016 following an attack by Iranian protesters on the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad in protest against the execution of prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr by Riyadh.

As part of the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Iran reopened its embassy in Riyadh on June 6, 2023, and appointed diplomat Alireza Enayati, who was the Deputy Foreign Minister until then, as its ambassador.