For these reasons, the “State of Enmity” between Tehran and Riyadh Must End

3 years ago

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There are many factors that undoubtedly motivate the two largest powers in the Arabian Gulf (Saudi Arabia and Iran) to end the state of direct hostility between them, and indirect ones in Yemen, Lebanon and Syria. Observers agree that the most important of these are the orientations of the new US administration.

The Iranian researcher, who holds a doctorate in political science, Maryam Khaleghi Nejad, wrote an article on the "Iran Diplomatic" website, in which she monitors the latest developments in relations between Riyadh and Tehran following the recent political changes in the two countries, especially foreign policy.

Khaleghi Nejad also monitored changes in global foreign policy, especially America and its exit from Afghan lands, and the reduction of competition between them to some extent.

Her article also included talking about Russia, China, and some Arab countries such as Syria, Yemen and Iraq.

The article included monitoring changes in the region in general, and the changes that occurred in Riyadh and Tehran in particular.

The Iranian researcher said, "Various changes occurred in the Middle East during the last months of 2021, and the actions of some countries and governments changed."

“Although these changes have not reached the stage of work yet, they are on the cusp of implementation,” says Khaleghi Nejad.

She expected the region to witness "impressive effects on the phase changes in tensions and challenges related to the situation in the Middle East."

 

Negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Iran 

She believes that the most important change is the expected change in the relations of Iran and Saudi Arabia, as they have been strong countries in the region for years.

In her monitoring, she explained that "days and weeks ago, different news spread about the Tehran and Riyadh negotiations.

During the first days of July 2021, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed the holding of negotiations between Iran and Saudi Arabia to discuss 

bilateral relations and regional affairs.


Former Iraqi officials also confirmed that Iraq is hosting rounds of talks between Tehran and Riyadh, and that Iran wants to improve relations between them.

The various reports on the sessions of these discussions are presented regarding the two parties' demands regarding Yemen's affairs, as well as the performance of Saudi Arabia in the new nuclear agreement talks.

The writer monitored a set of regional and regional changes that she confirmed would make these negotiations necessary.

She pointed out that "the regional factors that are pulling the two countries towards negotiations are closely related to the change in America's policies in the region."

As well as "reducing military tension before the US military exit from Afghanistan."

In addition to "resuming the nuclear deal negotiations and reducing the confrontation between Iran and America to a minimum."

And also, "the soft, economic and political competition of Russia and China in the confrontation with America in the region, and the increase of their influence."

This is with a tendency "to suppress most of the armed groups, and the danger arising from them."

The Iranian researcher said: "Everyone is aware about the next potential stage, and the tendency to reduce tension in the Middle East."

She stressed that "Iran and Saudi Arabia were also pulled to the negotiating table for the sake of regional issues and for better relations."

 

Negotiating Factors

She believes that the first and most important factor for Saudi Arabia is "changing the US government's action in relation to the region and Iran in particular, such as reducing military tension and the absence of a strong American supporter of Riyadh's decisions, such as Donald Trump, to confront Iran's influence."

Other factors revealed, such as "failure in the Yemen war, spending exorbitant costs in Syria and Yemen, and not reaching the desired goals."

And "differences with some former allies, such as the UAE, and the quest to improve relations with Turkey and Syria."

As well as "meetings of Iranian officials with other countries, especially the Arab Gulf states, in order to improve Iran's relations with the countries of the region."

“Most of all, the possibility of resolving the issue of the nuclear agreement and the Vienna talks are among the factors influencing Saudi policies to negotiate with Iran,” according to the author.

On the other hand, she made it clear that "Iran is fully prepared for any kind of negotiation between the two parties in the event of rational negotiations."

She says: "From here, Iran is in a negotiating position regarding the nuclear agreement, so there is a possibility that some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, can exploit their power through some of its dimensions, and then leave an impact."

On the other hand, "Iran is also about to make it clear to the region that negotiations on the nuclear agreement are not against its interests or relations in the region."

Khaliqi, the issue of Yemen, Lebanon and even Iraq are important to Iran's security.

She explained that "in the event of the region's agreement with various countries, especially the powerful countries in the region, the region's governments can have a greater influence on resolving multi-sided crises."

 

Conflict Hotspots 

The Iranian writer also referred to some common factors worthy of attention for the two countries. The first is the issue of tension and the conflicts of Arab countries such as Yemen and Lebanon.

The other is the issue of the waters of the Arabian Gulf, which is a model for a problem in the region, referring to the experiences of war in Yemen and Lebanon, and stressing that the region's problems need to be united more than anything else.

She believes that "although the region's negotiations in the Middle East did not take place far from the great powers such as Europe and America so far, and did not reach the arena of action, but it now seems that the countries of the region want basic steps to reduce tension.

She emphasized that these two powerful countries in the region realized that they had to make changes in their relations by focusing on the Middle East in the new century.

Maryam Khaleginejad concluded her speech by saying: "For the same reason, the initial talks began to focus on Yemen."

She believes that "if these steps were completed and then implemented in a practical manner, the initial and perhaps limited rapprochement in the region between Iran and Saudi Arabia would have a significant and noticeable impact on the changes in the region."

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