On April 9 it was reported that Iraq had put together secret talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia in Baghdad. Officials are now confirming as much, and Iranian and Saudi officials are both talking of a new era of cooperation and improved ties.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman confirmed this week that he’s hoping for a “good and special relationship,” and Iranian Foreign Ministry officials say they are welcoming the “change of tone” and the opportunity for peace and stability.
This is a big change, as Iran and Saudi Arabia have been seen as the heads of Shi’ite and Sunni Islam, respectively, and fighting a de facto proxy war for decades. The Saudis have been vilifying Iran, and vice versa. Even the idea of secret talks didn’t seem possible in recent years.
The Saudis may have realized that the situation isn’t so good for going all-in anti-Iran just now, and see a rapprochement as a possibility worth exploring. With the near-term Saudi interest in working something out in Yemen, having a working relationship in Iran would certainly be a good start.
A rapprochement with Iran could be complicating in some ways too, however. Saudi officials have recently made inroads on new ties with Israel, and since Israel’s priority is anti-Iran all day, every day, it’s unlikely they’ll welcome any shift in ties.
Iraq stands to gain the most from this, as they border both nations and would just as soon not get drawn into any conflicts between them.
There’s a strong Saudi economic interest as well. Oil revenues aren’t enough to sustain their growing population. To increase prosperity they’re going to need to trade with Iran, and they’re going to need peace and security to attract economic investment from anywhere.
New headline tomorrow: Israel planes can reach Saudi Arabia. This is worse than the nuke deal for the little parasite.
Anything that helps the people of Iraq would be a huge good … those poor people have been suffering more than thirty years of conflict now.