Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to normalize their relations. What is the reaction of the countries of the region – Rossiyskaya Gazeta

As stated in a joint statement by the three countries, Tehran and Riyadh agreed to resume diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies. This should happen within the next two months. “Both countries are committed to the principles of sovereignty and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs,” the document said. Iran and Saudi Arabia also intend to renew the 2001 security treaty and the 1998 cooperation agreement in the fields of trade, economy, culture, science and technology.

Relations between the two countries were severed in 2016 after prominent Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr was executed in Riyadh and protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran in response. Since then, the controversy has only grown. Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of attacking its oil facilities.
The situation changed in 2021, when Tehran and Riyadh tried to normalize their relations thanks to the mediation of Oman and Iraq. In two years, several rounds of negotiations have taken place, the last of which took place in Beijing from March 6 to 10. The delegations were led by Saudi National Security Advisor and Minister of State Musayed al-Ayban and Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani.

How the deal was assessed in Iran

“The negotiations between the two countries have been transparent, comprehensive, productive and based on trust. The elimination of differences in the relations between Tehran and Riyadh will certainly lead to the strengthening of regional stability and security, as well as the ‘expanding of cooperation between the Persian Gulf countries and the entire Islamic world, which is necessary to overcome the current challenges,” Ali Shamkhani said, commenting on the agreements reached. According to him, the basis of the talks was the visit of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in China and his talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.”I highly appreciate China’s constructive role in supporting the development of relations between countries, which is necessary to solve problems and strengthen peace and stability,” the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said.

“The normalization of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens up great opportunities for both countries, and for the region, and for the Islamic world as a whole. The Good Neighbor Policy, being a key area of ​​work for The 13th Iranian government is moving in the right direction and Iranian diplomacy is preparing additional regional measures,” Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said.

Saudi Arabia’s position

“The restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran stems from a vision of the kingdom based on commitment to political solutions, dialogue and the will to consolidate these principles in the region,” the official said. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. . According to him, the countries of the Middle East have a destiny, we must participate together in creating a model of prosperity and stability for the peoples of the region.

What they say in China

Head of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, Wang Yi, welcomed the agreement reached. “The success of these negotiations is the victory of dialogue, the victory of peace, and this brings us important positive news at a time when the world is going through many struggles,” he said.
Wang Yi stressed that “China will continue to play a constructive role in solving acute international problems, demonstrating the responsibility of a great power.” Beijing expects that the elimination of disagreements between Tehran and Riyadh “will have a positive effect” on the liberation of the countries of the region “from external interference”. The Chinese Foreign Ministry noted that the Saudi-Iranian agreements on restoring diplomatic relations “correspond to the development trends of the times”. “China has always believed that the future of the Middle East should be in the hands of Middle Eastern states,” the foreign ministry said.

The position of Oman and Iran, which also acted as mediators

Muscat and Baghdad have welcomed the agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran. As the Iraqi Foreign Ministry has indicated, this will open a new page in diplomatic relations between the two countries. And the Omani Foreign Ministry has expressed hope that it will contribute to strengthening the region’s security and stability.

How did Syria react?

In Damascus, these agreements were described as an important step towards strengthening security and stability in the Middle East. “It will help the Arabs and their friends to successfully confront the dangerous challenges they face,” the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in support of a normalization process covering all Arab countries.

Lebanese position

“The Iranian-Chinese-Saudi trilateral declaration and the agreement of Tehran and Riyadh to resume diplomatic relations will have a stabilizing effect on the whole course of events in the region,” said the Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration, Abdallah Bou Habib. According to him, “this step gives great hope for a way out of the crisis for Lebanon, which throughout its history has been the victim of regional conflicts and has paid dearly for them”.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrullah also welcomed the agreements. “It’s a good turn, we welcome it, because it will not be to the detriment of the peoples of the regions, but in their favour,” he said. He admits that improving relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia will help overcome the political vacuum in Lebanon.

UAE position

“The restoration of relations between brotherly Saudi Arabia and Iran is an important step for the region on the path to stability and prosperity,” said Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Peace. UAE international cooperation.