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Reestablishment Of Iran-Saudi Relations Prompts Cautious Optimism

MIDEAST

News today that Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed to restore diplomatic relations has prompted cautious optimism for stability in the region but China's role in brokering the deal may lead to concern in Washington that Saudi Arabia is drifting further from US orbit.

  • Saudi state media confirmed the deal came about after talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran, hosted by China 6 -10 March, on the initiative of President Xi Jinping.
  • The news was foreshadowed by a number of a high-profile visits, including a symbolic trip by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Saudi in December and a Beijing visit from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, last month.
  • The fanfare surrounding Xi's Saudi trip was contrasted with a muted visit from President Joe Biden in August during which he failed to convince de facto Saudi Leader Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to increase oil production.
  • The success of the Chinese brokered agreement points to a marginalisation of US influence in Riyadh but suggests at an alternate pathway to resolving the standoff over Iran's nuclear programme to which China has a stake and has made recent reference.

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