Are Tehran-Riyadh relations entering a new positive phase?
British Iranian journalist and political analyst
Saudi Crown Prince’s call on Israel to “respect the sovereignty” of Iran and to “cease all hostile actions on Iranian territories” could be the signal of a turning point in Tehran-Riadh relations.
Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, made the remarks in his address to the joint meeting of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Monday according to the official Saudi news agency (SPA).
Bin Salman also condemned the Israeli army’s recent attacks in northern Gaza “in the strongest terms” and accused Tel Aviv of “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians in his speech.
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, who had been invited by the Saudi King to participate in the summit, called Bin Salman Sunday evening to apologize for not attending the summit due to his “heavy executive duties.” He also informed Bin Salman that First Vice-President Mohammad-Reza Aref was already on his way to Riyadh as his representative.
Iran's state media have also reported that Bin Salman hailed “the historical turning point” in Tehran-Riyadh relations and expressed hope that bilateral ties are promoted to the highest levels in all areas.
Rapid advancements in Saudi Arabia's rapprochement with Iran’s Shia-led government come as observers anticipate President-elect Donald Trump will renew efforts to facilitate open relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
According to Iran's state media, Bin Salman invited Pezeshkian to visit Riyadh at a later point and welcomed a similar invitation from the Iranian President.
The report of the phone call by the Saudi official news agency (SPA) did not include a reference to the invitations or the phrase "historical turning point".
Earlier on Sunday, the Saudi Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Fayyad al-Ruwaili, paid a rare visit to Tehran for talks with his Iranian counterpart Major General Mohammad Bagheri.
According to Iranian media, Bagheri has invited the Saudi navy to join Iranian naval exercises as participants or observers next year.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Aref was received by Bin Salman in Riyadh Monday evening and reported in an Instagram post he had emphasized in the meeting that “good bilateral relations" between the two countries was "irreversible”.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran does not favor war in the region and has never initiated a war but will always defend Iran's territorial integrity. The two countries of Iran and Saudi Arabia can play an important role in peace and stability in the region,” he wrote.
The recent warming up in Tehran-Riyadh relations is a big achievement for Pezeshkian’s government, Istanbul-based Iran analyst Mehrdad Farahmand told Iran International TV on Monday. Iran's regional position has become precarious given the weakening of its proxy forces, Hamas and Hezbollah, US sanctions and Israel's military advantage in confronting Tehran.
Farahmand noted that the warming of relations between the two regional rivals, after years of open hostility, began under Ebrahim Raisi’s government with Chinese mediation. However, the process has accelerated since Pezeshkian took office and is now “beginning to bear fruit.”
Farahmand observed that this shift in Tehran-Riyadh relations has surprised Arab media, who view recent developments as a diplomatic win for Saudi Arabia. They interpret it as Riyadh successfully demonstrating to Iran that it needs Saudi support to address its conflict with Israel, while also elevating Saudi Arabia’s leadership role in the Arab world.
Farahmand added that, given its economic importance to President-elect Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia is uniquely positioned to mediate between Iran and the United States under Trump’s leadership.
