Iran-Saudi Arabia’s cautious attempt to resolve the conflict and restore relations
Last Updated on November 15, 2024 5:22 am
Iran and Saudi Arabia have been hostile for decades. However, after the restoration of diplomatic relations last year under the mediation of China, it can be said that the two countries have largely come out of that hostile relationship. And the recent diplomatic exchanges between these two Middle Eastern countries indicate that they want to deepen their relations.
For example, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Argaghi’s latest visit to Saudi Arabia can be mentioned. During the visit, he met with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The history of hostile relations between these two countries is quite old. It can be said that such relations have existed since the Iranian revolution in 1979. Considering the situation of several decades, it can be said that this attempt by the two countries to restore relations is a very new political context.
Basically, the two countries have completely different ideas about the role of religion in politics. And this is where the journey of contradictory political positions begins. After the 1979 revolution, the Iranian government’s understanding of Islam was based on a social revolution. For a long time, the country has positioned itself as the leader of Shiite Muslims in the region.
Meanwhile, the Sunni Saudi royal family relies on the role of religion to maintain its power. The country sees itself as the leading country of Islam in the Middle East and the guardian of the holy sites of Mecca and Medina for Muslims.
The two countries’ polar positions became clearer during the Arab Spring of 2010. The Saudi royal family feared that Iran could use the movement in a structural way.
Yemen at the center of the conflict
However, despite various talks to restore relations, the two countries remain on opposite sides of the Yemen issue. The Iran-backed Houthi militias have tried to overthrow Yemen’s former President Abed Rabbo Mansour and have taken control of some parts of the country.
Meanwhile, the coalition of Sunni countries led by Saudi Arabia is once again receiving support from the West, especially the United States. They want to confront the Houthis. They are mainly trying to prevent Iranian influence in the region.
Saudi interests in restoring relations
Experts say that this attempt to restore relations has several advantages from the Saudi Arabian perspective.
Sebastian Sons, an analyst at the German think tank CARPO, told Deutsche Welle that after Iran’s attack on Saudi Arabian oil installations in 2019, the Saudi government realized that it could not fully rely on the United States. At the same time, it must resolve the hostility with neighboring Iran.
He said that for Riyadh, which relies on oil, the success of the country’s economy depends on the stability of the region. Saudi Arabia has understood this.
In addition, Riyadh wants to stop missile attacks on Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia believes that Iran can influence the Houthi militias.
However, Hamidreza Azizi of the Berlin Institute for International and Security Affairs told Deutsche Welle that it is not the case that Iran can influence all Houthi activities. However, the Houthi and Iran protect each other’s interests. This relationship could play a role in a ceasefire in Yemen.
Iran’s interests
Iran wants to achieve its specific interests by restoring relations with Saudi Arabia.
Azizi said that years of sanctions imposed on Iran, economic mismanagement and corruption within the country have harmed Iran. The Iranian government fears that this economic instability may lead to serious protests and movements within the country.
According to Azizi, there is a feeling among Iranians that the government is not able to effectively govern the country.
Since it has not been able to reach an agreement with the West on the nuclear issue and has not been able to lift economic sanctions, Iran is trying to find a different way to overcome this loss. As part of this, it is trying to join various multinational organizations such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, etc. At the same time, Iran is also looking to improve relations with neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia.
Iran also has security concerns. According to Azizi, before the restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran through Chinese mediation, there were signs of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. In this situation, Iran feared that an anti-Iranian alliance could be formed in the Middle East between Israel and Arab countries. As a solution, Iran came forward to communicate with Arab countries diplomatically.
However, in the current context, the attempt to establish Saudi-Israeli relations is no longer relevant. For example, Azizi said that Saudi Arabia has already put forward a two-state plan to solve the Palestinian problem, which is contrary to Israel’s diplomatic stance.
However, Azizi also said that Saudi Arabia has no intention of taking a position against Israel or distancing itself from the West by deepening ties with Iran. Instead, Saudi Arabia wants to create a kind of strategic position.
Saudi Arabia’s desire to be a mediator
According to analyst Sones, Saudi Arabia wants to move to a position of being a mediator for all parties.
Sones said that Qatar is playing a similar role. Saudi Arabia was quite conservative, but now it seems that it wants to keep the lines of communication with Tehran open.
He says that the US has sent a message to Iran through Saudi Arabia. Such a strategic position could be an important part of Saudi Arabia’s regional policy and diplomacy.
Azizi said the same thing. According to this analyst, good relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia will create stability in the region in the long term. And Iran understands that restoring relations is beneficial for all parties.