Tehran and Riyadh: Moving towards rapprochement?
(Photo: protestor writing slogans against the Saudi Royal House and King Salman in demonstration in front of the Saudi Embassy in Tehran/Mehr)
By: Seyyed Mohammad Sadr
Despite the current turbulent relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Riyadh has introduced a new ambassador to Iran. While this appointment, and a number of bilateral meetings held inside Saudi Arabia, do not mark an imminent shift in relations between the two countries, it may be the first step towards rapprochement.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia seems to have distanced from its previous wisely foreign policy, stepping in a different path which has created problems for the country in relations not only with the Islamic Republic: the German intelligence services recently released a report directly blaming Saudi Arabia for its role in destabilizing the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia’s support for terrorist groups such as Da’esh/ISIS, and its belligerent approach in Yemen, Syria and even Lebanon have brought neither the kingdom nor the region positive outcomes. Sooner or later, Saudis will come to the conclusion that such policies should change.
Iran’s success in sealing a favorable nuclear deal might also prompt Riyadh to shift its policy and mend ties with Tehran. Like Israel, Saudi Arabia strove for failure of the nuclear talks, but to no avail. Conclusion of the Vienna deal placed the Saudis in an inferior position vis-à-vis Iran, intensifying the historical competition that has existed between the two powerful states of the Middle East.
The appointment of Ali Hassan Ja’far, a former ambassador to Russia, as head of the new mission to Tehran can help solve problems. One point should not be forgotten though: problems were not created overnight, and they will not be solved overnight. A new ambassador to Tehran means a new chance to improve ties, but the entire procedure depends on the future steps and likely negotiations between Tehran and Riyadh over bilateral and regional relations.
* This piece was originally published in the Reformist Bahar Daily. Seyyed Mohammad Sadr is an advisor to Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and has served as Deputy Foreign Minister on Arab and African Affairs during Mohammad Khatami’s administration.