Iran, Saudi Arabia take a step closer to repairing ties
1 year, 8 months ago

Iran, Saudi Arabia take a step closer to repairing ties

Al Jazeera  

The countries’ foreign ministers agree to open embassies, resume official visits and facilitate visas for citizens. Saudi Arabia and Iran’s foreign ministers have met in Beijing for the first formal gathering since China brokered a deal to restore relations between the top regional powers last month. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that Beijing is ready to support both sides in fostering good relations, urging the international community to help the Middle Eastern countries resolve their differences. Abas Aslani, a senior fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies, told Al Jazeera that Iran and Saudi Arabia were previously “mostly focused on rivalry and tensions, but now they are talking about focusing on common ground … stressing cooperation”. Rocky relations The countries broke formal ties in 2016 after Saudi Arabia executed Shia Muslim leader Nimr al-Nimr and Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions – one in a series of flashpoints between the two longstanding regional rivals.

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History of this topic

Riyadh and Teheran vow to elevate ties
1 month ago

Riyadh and Teheran vow to elevate ties

China Daily  

Saudi Arabia and Iran reaffirmed their commitment on Tuesday to advance bilateral ties at the second meeting of the China-Saudi Arabia-Iran Trilateral Joint Committee held in the Saudi capital Riyadh. Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji chaired the Riyadh meeting attended by Chinese Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, who led the Chinese delegation, and Majid Takht Ravanchi, …

Navigating West Asia: Irina Tsukerman on Trump's 100-day peace plan and foreign policy imperatives
1 month, 1 week ago

Navigating West Asia: Irina Tsukerman on Trump's 100-day peace plan and foreign policy imperatives

India Today  

In the evolving geopolitical landscape, the dynamics of West Asia and the strategic interplay involving Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, and the United States are increasingly complex. You said the 100-day plan or the first 100 days could look difficult for President Trump in implementing what he calls a peace plan or bringing about peace in West Asia. You do think …

Saudi Arabia-Iran rapprochement: A new dawn for West Asia's future?
1 month, 1 week ago

Saudi Arabia-Iran rapprochement: A new dawn for West Asia's future?

India Today  

At a recent Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as "genocide," urging the international community to intervene to prevent further hostilities, including any potential escalation against Iran. In a recent call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Crown Prince Mohammed discussed the violence in Palestinian territories and Saudi Arabia’s role in addressing …

Saudi armed forces chief visits Iranian counterpart for rare meeting
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Saudi armed forces chief visits Iranian counterpart for rare meeting

Al Jazeera  

Iran’s General Mohammad Bagheri calls for increased security cooperation between the two countries. Saudi Arabia’s top military official has visited Tehran for talks with Iranian officials in a rare high-level meeting since the countries restored ties last year, Iran’s state media reported, General Chief of Staff Fayyad al-Ruwaili of the Saudi armed forces met his Iranian counterpart, General Mohammad Bagheri, …

More Saudi investment encouraged
3 months, 1 week ago

More Saudi investment encouraged

China Daily  

Premier Li Qiang poses for a group photo with representatives of the Saudi business community and Chinese officials on Wednesday before a meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. WANG ZHUANGFEI/CHINA DAILY China's development will provide a broader market and more investment opportunities for enterprises from Saudi Arabia and other countries, amid a sluggish global economic recovery and growing uncertainties around the …

China prioritizes Saudi Arabia in overall diplomacy, particularly in Middle East - Chinese premier
3 months, 1 week ago

China prioritizes Saudi Arabia in overall diplomacy, particularly in Middle East - Chinese premier

China Daily  

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and co-chairs the Fourth Meeting of the High-Level Chinese-Saudi Joint Committee with him at Riyadh's al-Yamamah Palace in Saudi Arabia, Sept 11, 2024. RIYADH - China puts the development of relations with Saudi Arabia as a priority in its overall diplomacy, especially in …

China prioritizes Saudi Arabia in overall diplomacy, particularly in Middle East - Chinese premier
3 months, 1 week ago

China prioritizes Saudi Arabia in overall diplomacy, particularly in Middle East - Chinese premier

China Daily  

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and co-chairs the Fourth Meeting of the High-Level Chinese-Saudi Joint Committee with him at Riyadh's al-Yamamah Palace in Saudi Arabia, Sept 11, 2024. China supports Saudi Arabia in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs and is ready to enhance multilateral …

Chinese premier eyes further alignment of development strategies with Saudi Arabia
3 months, 1 week ago

Chinese premier eyes further alignment of development strategies with Saudi Arabia

China Daily  

Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to chair the Fourth Meeting of the High-Level Chinese-Saudi Joint Committee and visit Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on Tuesday. Li arrived here Tuesday to chair the Fourth Meeting of the High-Level Chinese-Saudi Joint Committee and visit Saudi Arabia …

Eye on the Middle East | How China-Saudi defence ties are evolving
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Eye on the Middle East | How China-Saudi defence ties are evolving

Hindustan Times  

On June 25, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s defence minister Prince Khalid bin Salman visited Beijing, holding meetings with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun as well as the Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia. This is even more so as it is the United States’ defence commitments to the Middle East that continue to be seen as …

Saudi Arabia appoints first ambassador to Syria since 2012
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Saudi Arabia appoints first ambassador to Syria since 2012

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — Saudi Arabia on Sunday announced the appointment of its first ambassador to Syria since severing ties with Damascus in 12 years, marking an ongoing thawing in relations since the war-torn country was readmitted to the Arab League over a year ago. Faisal al-Mujfel’s appointment as the kingdom’s first ambassador to Syria since 2012 was announced by the state-run …

Saudi Arabia postpones Israel deal amid war, engages with Iran: Report
1 year, 2 months ago

Saudi Arabia postpones Israel deal amid war, engages with Iran: Report

India Today  

Saudi Arabia is putting US-backed plans to normalise ties with Israel on ice, two sources familiar with Riyadh's thinking said, signalling a rapid rethinking of its foreign policy priorities as war escalates between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas. The first source familiar with Saudi thinking said Washington had pressed Riyadh this week to condemn the Hamas attack but said Saudi …

What countries have normalised relations with Iran after Saudi detente?
1 year, 3 months ago

What countries have normalised relations with Iran after Saudi detente?

Al Jazeera  

Tehran seems on track to restore relations with more countries after a groundbreaking agreement with Saudi Arabia. So, who has recently re-established formal relations with Iran, what’s the latest between Tehran and Riyadh, and who else could follow suit in improving relations? When Iran and Saudi Arabia broke diplomatic relations, the fallout spread beyond them, with several Arab nations also …

MBS tells Fox News that Saudi Arabia is ‘closer every day’ to normalising relations with Israel
1 year, 3 months ago

MBS tells Fox News that Saudi Arabia is ‘closer every day’ to normalising relations with Israel

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Saudi …

Saudi crown prince says in rare interview ‘every day we get closer’ to normalization with Israel
1 year, 3 months ago

Saudi crown prince says in rare interview ‘every day we get closer’ to normalization with Israel

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a rare interview with Fox News on Wednesday that negotiations over Israel means the prospects of normalized relations between both countries “get closer” every day, but that treatment of Palestinians remains a “very important” issue to be resolved. Netanyahu’s office said the meeting “mostly dealt with ways to establish an …

Saudi and Iran exchange ambassadors after rapprochement
1 year, 3 months ago

Saudi and Iran exchange ambassadors after rapprochement

Al Jazeera  

Ambassadors of both countries arrived in Riyadh and Tehran after an agreement led to the restoration of full diplomatic ties. Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Iran has arrived in the country, and his counterpart has landed in Saudi, cementing a restoration of ties between the Gulf rivals after a seven-year rupture. Saudi Arabia’s leadership recognises the “importance of strengthening ties, increasing …

Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia to depart for Riyadh
1 year, 3 months ago

Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia to depart for Riyadh

Al Jazeera  

The Iranian embassy reopened in June, and the ambassador is expected to be fully situated there within days. Tehran, Iran – Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says its ambassador to Saudi Arabia will soon depart for Riyadh to lead Tehran’s diplomatic mission that was reopened in early June after seven years. Iran’s new envoy to the kingdom, Alireza Enayati, met …

Iran and Saudi Arabia are among 6 nations set to join China and Russia in the BRICS economic bloc
1 year, 4 months ago

Iran and Saudi Arabia are among 6 nations set to join China and Russia in the BRICS economic bloc

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — Iran and Saudi Arabia were among six countries invited Thursday to join the BRICS bloc of developing economies in a move that showed signs of strengthening a China-Russia coalition as tensions with the West spiral higher. The United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia were also set to enter BRICS from Jan. 1, 2024, joining current members Brazil, …

The Saudi Arabia-UAE divide becomes public
1 year, 4 months ago

The Saudi Arabia-UAE divide becomes public

The Hindu  

In mid-July, The Wall Street Journal reported that earlier in December, the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, had told a group of Saudi journalists that the United Arab Emirates has “stabbed us in the back” and had threatened, “They will see what I can do.” He had added that his retaliation would be “worse than what I did with …

China-brokered Saudi-Iran deal driving ‘wave of reconciliation’, says Wang
1 year, 4 months ago

China-brokered Saudi-Iran deal driving ‘wave of reconciliation’, says Wang

Al Jazeera  

Beijing’s top diplomat lauds improving ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, calls for full resumption of Tehran nuclear deal. China’s top diplomat has said that a Chinese-mediated detente between Iran and Saudi Arabia was driving a “wave of reconciliation” in the Middle East and pledged to firmly support Tehran on “issues concerning core interests”. Wang told Amir-Abdollahian that Beijing appreciated …

Iran's foreign minister visits Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince as tensions between rivals ease
1 year, 4 months ago

Iran's foreign minister visits Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince as tensions between rivals ease

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Iran’s foreign minister visits Saudi Arabia’s powerful crown prince as tensions between rivals ease
1 year, 4 months ago

Iran’s foreign minister visits Saudi Arabia’s powerful crown prince as tensions between rivals ease

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s foreign minister met Friday with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of his visit to the kingdom, a sign of how the two countries are trying to ease tensions after years of turmoil. But since reaching a Chinese-mediated détente in March, Iran and Saudi Arabia have moved toward reopening diplomatic missions …

Iran's Foreign Minister meets Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince as long-standing tensions show signs of easing
1 year, 4 months ago

Iran's Foreign Minister meets Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince as long-standing tensions show signs of easing

India TV News  

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Friday met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as both countries considered arch-rivals of each other for several years are trying to defuse tensions following Chinese mediation. Iran has also been blamed for several attacks, including a missile and drone strike on Saudi Arabia's oil industry that temporarily reduced the kingdom's crude production. …

Iran’s top diplomat extends Saudi trip, meets Crown Prince MBS
1 year, 4 months ago

Iran’s top diplomat extends Saudi trip, meets Crown Prince MBS

Al Jazeera  

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held meetings with his Saudi counterpart on Thursday, his first visit since a rapprochement earlier this year. Iran’s foreign minister has met Saudi Arabia’s crown prince during his first visit to the kingdom since the Middle East rivals announced a surprise rapprochement, officials said. After the meeting, Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim reported Amir-Abdollahian as saying …

Iran's foreign minister visits Saudi Arabia on first such trip in years as tensions ease
1 year, 4 months ago

Iran's foreign minister visits Saudi Arabia on first such trip in years as tensions ease

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Iran's …

Iran FM in Saudi Arabia, says relations ‘on the right track’
1 year, 4 months ago

Iran FM in Saudi Arabia, says relations ‘on the right track’

Al Jazeera  

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Iran meet as both counties seek to overcome past hostility and boost cooperation. Saudi Arabia and Iran are making progress on mending ties, Iran’s foreign minister has said after meeting with his counterpart in Riyadh, as the two regional heavyweights seek to overcome past hostility and boost cooperation. “Relations between Tehran and Saudi …

Meeting sends positive signal amid conflict
1 year, 4 months ago

Meeting sends positive signal amid conflict

China Daily  

Saudi Arabia security talks to help solve Russia-Ukraine crisis lauded Representatives from China, the US, and Saudi Arabia take part in talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, over the weekend, in an effort to find a solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. SAUDI PRESS AGENCY/REUTERS The meeting of several national security advisers hosted by Saudi Arabia in Jeddah over the weekend to …

America’s pursuit of Saudi-Israel rapprochement
1 year, 4 months ago

America’s pursuit of Saudi-Israel rapprochement

The Hindu  

The proverbial propensity of the ‘Middle East’ to spring surprises is on call again. The White House has had tepid relations with leaders of both countries, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. It has gained traction in recent months with the U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and U.S. Secretary of …

Saudi foreign minister in Iran as part of restoration of diplomatic ties after a 7-year rift
1 year, 6 months ago

Saudi foreign minister in Iran as part of restoration of diplomatic ties after a 7-year rift

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister arrived in Iran’s capital on Saturday, the latest step in the restoration of diplomatic ties between the two Mideast rivals, Iranian state media reported. Later, Prince Faisal said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and King Salman officially invited Raisi to visit Saudi Arabia, according to the state TV broadcast of a joint news …

Saudi, Iran foreign ministers meet in Tehran amid warming ties
1 year, 6 months ago

Saudi, Iran foreign ministers meet in Tehran amid warming ties

Al Jazeera  

It’s the first visit by a Saudi official to Iran in more than seven years, in a rapprochement deal brokered by China. Tehran, Iran — The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia have met in Tehran as the longtime rivals seek to end a diplomatic rift and restore ties after seven years of tensions. Al Jazeera’s Dorsa Jabbari said, …

Poverty, climate, regional stability on agenda as Saudi crown prince visits France
1 year, 6 months ago

Poverty, climate, regional stability on agenda as Saudi crown prince visits France

Associated Press  

PARIS — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Friday with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris as part of an official visit, during which he will also participate in a global financing summit aimed at fighting poverty and climate change. The French presidency said the talks would focus on bilateral relations between the two countries and on regional stability …

Middle East Roundup: What’s going on with Saudi Arabia and China?
1 year, 6 months ago

Middle East Roundup: What’s going on with Saudi Arabia and China?

Al Jazeera  

And a shark attack in Egypt, Gaddafi’s fifth son on hunger strike in Lebanon. Here’s the Middle East this week: What’s going on with Saudi Arabia? The kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund will be taking over the four largest football clubs, two of which have wooed the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, upping Saudi football’s star power. …

As Blinken visits, top Saudi diplomat says kingdom seeks US nuclear aid but ‘others’ also bidding
1 year, 6 months ago

As Blinken visits, top Saudi diplomat says kingdom seeks US nuclear aid but ‘others’ also bidding

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said after meeting with the visiting U.S. secretary of state on Thursday that while the kingdom would welcome U.S. aid in building its civilian nuclear program, “there are others that are bidding.” Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan was responding to a question about recent news reports that Saudi Arabia is …

Iran to reopen embassy in Saudi Arabia after seven years
1 year, 6 months ago

Iran to reopen embassy in Saudi Arabia after seven years

Al Jazeera  

The move comes in accordance with a China-brokered agreement between Tehran and Riyadh. Tehran, Iran – Iran has confirmed it will reopen its embassy in Saudi Arabia this week, seven years after it was closed due to a diplomatic rift. In a short statement on Monday, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said Tehran’s embassy in Riyadh will be …

Iran names ambassador to Saudi after seven-year gap
1 year, 6 months ago

Iran names ambassador to Saudi after seven-year gap

The Hindu  

Iran has named an ambassador to Saudi Arabia, state media reported on May 24, sealing a thaw in relations more than seven years after the regional rivals severed ties. The new envoy, Alireza Enayati, previously served as Iran's ambassador to Kuwait, assistant to the Foreign Minister and director general of Gulf affairs at the Foreign Ministry, the Iran Daily said. …

Canada and Saudi Arabia rekindle diplomatic ties after 2018 spat
1 year, 7 months ago

Canada and Saudi Arabia rekindle diplomatic ties after 2018 spat

Al Jazeera  

Diplomatic rupture began in 2018, with tweets from Canada’s foreign ministry denouncing human rights in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia and Canada have both announced that they will resume diplomatic relations, ending a bitter 2018 dispute over human rights. Diplomatic ties first ruptured in 2018 when Saudi Arabia arrested several high-profile female human rights activists. “The Canadian position is a grave …

Syria’s Assad arrives in Saudi Arabia in first visit since war
1 year, 7 months ago

Syria’s Assad arrives in Saudi Arabia in first visit since war

Al Jazeera  

President Bashar al-Assad to attend the Arab League summit on Friday, a sign of his regional rehabilitation. But the president’s arrival in regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia on Thursday is the latest example of an attempt by the majority of Arab states to now restore ties. Relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia had been turbulent since al-Assad took office in 2000 …

Keeping China In Mind, NSA Doval Teams Up With Saudi Arabia, UAE & US For Role In Middle-East
1 year, 7 months ago

Keeping China In Mind, NSA Doval Teams Up With Saudi Arabia, UAE & US For Role In Middle-East

ABP News  

New Delhi: India is now aggressively seeking a greater strategic role for itself in the Middle East along with Saudi Arabia, UAE and the US even as New Delhi is watching with “concern” the increasing influence of Beijing in that region, ABP Live has learnt. The White House said Sunday’s meeting was conducted to “advance their shared vision of a …

A new era for Iran and Saudi Arabia?
1 year, 7 months ago

A new era for Iran and Saudi Arabia?

Al Jazeera  

Why did Saudi-Iranian relations fall apart and what will it mean for each country as they sew them back together? Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Iran has been abandoned for years. It was stormed by Iranian protesters back in 2016 and shut down – an extremely low point in the two countries’ relations. So, what does restoring relations mean for these …

The Broader Context Behind China’s Mediation Between Iran and Saudi Arabia
1 year, 8 months ago

The Broader Context Behind China’s Mediation Between Iran and Saudi Arabia

The Diplomat  

The March 10 agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore diplomatic and economic ties is the latest development in the geopolitical shifts in the Gulf region that have been taking shape since January 2021. Mediating a deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia fits China’s broader strategy and interests in the Persian Gulf. While economic relations are unequivocally unbalanced in …

The olive branch effect of the Beijing Accord
1 year, 8 months ago

The olive branch effect of the Beijing Accord

The Hindu  

Just over a month after the Beijing Accord restored ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the regional landscape is witnessing not war, death and destruction but ministers and diplomats dashing from one capital to another to discuss initiatives to promote political and economic cooperation. And, the Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, isolated for a decade, has been a welcome guest in …

Decoding the reorientation in Saudi foreign policy engineered by MBS | In Focus podcast
1 year, 8 months ago

Decoding the reorientation in Saudi foreign policy engineered by MBS | In Focus podcast

The Hindu  

There finally seems to be some movement towards a peace settlement in the Yemen civil war, which has been raging for nine years now. Although the negotiations are expected to take time before they yield results, there is some optimism in the air as the talks are happening in the aftermath of a China-mediated agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia …

Saudi foreign minister visits Syria as relations thaw
1 year, 8 months ago

Saudi foreign minister visits Syria as relations thaw

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat arrived in the Syrian capital on Tuesday, the first official visit by an official from the kingdom in more than a decade, the Syrian government said. A statement published by Saudi state media said that bin Farhan’s visit came “within the framework of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s keenness and interest to reach a …

The View from India | What’s Mohammed bin Salman up to?
1 year, 8 months ago

The View from India | What’s Mohammed bin Salman up to?

The Hindu  

When Saudi Arabia and Iran announced an agreement last month to reestablish diplomatic relations under China’s mediation, many were surprised and sceptical. Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince and de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, who tried to expand the kingdom’s influence in the region through conflicts and coercion, appears to have changed his foreign policy course and adopted aggressive …

China helps narrow the gulf between Iran and Saudi Arabia
1 year, 8 months ago

China helps narrow the gulf between Iran and Saudi Arabia

The Hindu  

Published : Apr 18, 2023 16:13 IST - 10 MINS READ The March 10 announcement from Iran and Saudi Arabia that they had agreed to resume normal diplomatic ties caught most of the international community by surprise. The National Security Advisers of Iran and Saudi Arabia, Ali Shamkhani and Musaad bin Mohammed Al Aiban, signed the agreement in Beijing in …

Saudi foreign minister to visit Syria as relations thaw
1 year, 8 months ago

Saudi foreign minister to visit Syria as relations thaw

The Hindu  

Saudi Arabia's top diplomat is expected to arrive in the Syrian capital on Tuesday, the first official visit by an official from the kingdom in more than a decade, the Syrian government said. Syria and Saudi Arabia said last week they were moving toward restoring consular services and resuming flights between the two countries. The overtures picked up pace since …

Saudi foreign minister meets Syria’s Assad in Damascus
1 year, 8 months ago

Saudi foreign minister meets Syria’s Assad in Damascus

Al Jazeera  

Arrival of Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan is the first for a top Saudi official since the start of Syria’s war. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in the most significant step yet towards ending Syria’s decade-long regional isolation. The Saudi foreign ministry said in an online statement that …

Saudi Arabia and Iran end their explosive proxy-war
1 year, 8 months ago

Saudi Arabia and Iran end their explosive proxy-war

The Telegraph  

Saudi Arabia and Iran’s surprise agreement to put aside their explosive rivalry has raised hopes of resolving conflicts from Yemen and Syria, to Iraq and Lebanon. The Syrian foreign minister became the first senior Damascus official to visit Saudi Arabia since the start of the civil war, as Arab states discussed normalising relations with the government of President Bashar al-Assad. …

Iran and Saudi Arabia seek to restore ties: Key moments in their relationship
1 year, 8 months ago

Iran and Saudi Arabia seek to restore ties: Key moments in their relationship

Firstpost  

Paris: After being at daggers drawn for years, longtime Middle East rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia are engaged in whirlwind diplomacy as they prepare to normalise relations after a seven-year split. As Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi prepares to visit Saudi Arabia, AFP looks back at key moments in the relationship: 1979: Iran revolution When Iranian revolutionaries overthrow the US-backed shah …

Saudi readies Arab talks on Syria as Mideast diplomacy shifts
1 year, 8 months ago

Saudi readies Arab talks on Syria as Mideast diplomacy shifts

The Hindu  

Saudi Arabia was preparing on April 13 to host an Arab regional meeting on ending Syria's isolation at a time of dizzying diplomatic shifts following its deal to resume relations with rival Iran. On April 14, ministers and top officials from the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — …

Saudi Arabia’s quest for strategic autonomy
1 year, 8 months ago

Saudi Arabia’s quest for strategic autonomy

The Hindu  

The story so far: Saudi Arabia, which had adopted an aggressive foreign policy in recent years seeking to expand its influence in West Asia and roll back that of Iran, its bitter rival, is now following a dramatic course correction. For example, in Syria, Iran’s only state ally in West Asia, Saudi Arabia joined hands with its Gulf allies as …

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