On Tuesday, Iran reopened its embassy in Saudi Arabia after a seven-year closure, the result of the normalization deal between Tehran and Riyadh that was brokered by China.
During a ceremony at the embassy in Riyadh, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Alireza Bigdeli hailed the ties between the two nations. “We consider today an important day in the relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he said. “The cooperation between the countries is entering a new era.”
The opening of the Iranian embassy coincided with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s arrival in Saudi Arabia. Blinken is expected to meet with Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, and his visit comes as the Biden administration is pushing for a normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
A Saudi-Israeli normalization deal now seems unlikely as Riyadh is focusing on boosting ties with Iran and also recently restored diplomatic relations with Syria. A major aspect of the US and Israeli push for normalization deals with Gulf Arab states is to form an anti-Iran alliance in the region, but Tehran is looking to get ahead of Israel.
Iran’s naval commander said last week that Tehran was working to form a naval alliance with Arab states, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The comments came after the UAE withdrew from a US-led maritime coalition in the region.
However, the Saudis are currently in a good position to extract concessions from the US in exchange for a normalization deal with Israel. According to media reports, Saudi Arabia is seeking stronger security guarantees from the US and wants assistance in developing a civilian nuclear program.
The U.S. seems to favor conflict, which is good for arms sales. The Chinese seem to favor accords, which favors infrastructure building. If you lived in the Middle East, which vision would you favor?
The writing is on the wall.The rulers of b the US are to stupid and arrogant.to realize conditions.have.changed
We may hope, yes; but, as DeCamp points out the Saudis are yet capable of cutting a dirty deal in exchange for ?? nukes??
Israel is now burning…!
“The opening of the Iranian embassy coincided with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s arrival in Saudi Arabia. Blinken is expected to meet with Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, and his visit comes as the Biden administration is pushing for a normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel.”
For some reason my mind started wandering about Iranian drones and the fate of the Iranian General. Or was it wishful thinking?
Earlier this year a serious plan was raised for a direct pipeline (gas) connection between Saudi Arabia and India. That line can obviously be extended to China.
That potential pipeline to china worries our administration more than the reopening of that embassy especially if Saudi Arabia excepts payments other than in dollars.
The Saudis can start by asking Blinken to leave Syria. What Blinken wants, presumably is that the Saudis and other Muslim governments accept Zionism. But that is impossible. MbS should tell Blinken Zionism is a Jewish fantasy that has nothing to do with non jews.