Beginning of a new chapter in Iran-Saudi relations with Iraqchi’s visit
The start of a new chapter in Iran-Saudi relations with the visit of Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, to Saudi Arabia. He has traveled to Saudi Arabia and is planning to visit other regional countries as well. This visit coincides with tensions between Iran and Israel due to Iran’s missile attack on occupied territories and Israel’s operations in Lebanon.
Araghchi is going to Riyadh while Tehran emphasizes its right to respond decisively to any Israeli attack on Iran, stating that this could lead to a significant escalation of conflict that may impact the entire region. Recent reports quoting Reuters have mentioned messages from member countries of the Cooperation Council to Iran calling for impartiality in the current conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv. What message will Araghchi’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia convey?
Iran’s Foreign Minister is visiting Saudi Arabia for the first time since taking office in August. The purpose of this visit is to discuss regional issues and stop the fighting in Gaza and Lebanon.
He stated that negotiations for stopping the atrocities and condemning Israel are ongoing. We have repeatedly said that Iran is not seeking war, but it also does not fear war and is ready for any scenario.
Iraqi officials have stated that all necessary objectives for the attack have been determined, saying that their country’s policy is to halt hostilities and achieve an acceptable ceasefire. The head of Iran’s diplomatic apparatus mentioned that relations with countries that are members of the Cooperation Council have witnessed many turning points, but there is willingness for cooperation. Iranian President’s Chief of Staff had stated in September that Tehran seeks to strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan.
Since the signing of the peace agreement and the resumption of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia in Beijing on March 20, 2023, Riyadh and Tehran have endeavored over the past year to align their views and enhance cooperation with the aim of normalizing relations in various fields and exchanging high-level official visits. Amid the current war, the member countries of the Cooperation Council had a strategy to prevent war in the region.
In early October 2024, Reuters reported, citing 3 informed sources, that the foreign ministers of the Cooperation Council member countries in Doha discussed reducing tensions in the region following Iran’s missile strike on occupied territories. According to these sources, the member countries of the Cooperation Council sent a message to Iran assuring them of neutrality in the conflict amidst concerns about the possibility of war spreading throughout the region.
Iran has repeatedly emphasized, especially by its medical personnel during their trips to Qatar, that it will respond forcefully to any further Israeli actions, as reported by American and Hebrew media outlets. Israel may target Iran’s informational and strategic positions in addition to its nuclear sites and oil facilities in retaliation for Iran’s attack.
In this regard, the Jordanian political analyst, Mounzer al-Hawarat, stated that Zarif’s trip is an attempt to defuse the escalating situation between Iran, the US, and Israel. In an interview with Al Khaleej Online, he mentioned that Iran is seeking middle-ground solutions because it is concerned that Israel’s attack may target its nuclear program. Iran does not want Israeli and American missiles to reach it. The political analyst added that Iran is trying to propose initiatives for regional stability or at least to prevent an Israeli attack, but so far has not put forward anything concrete.
He stated that if there was no reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the member countries of the Cooperation Council might have been a target for Tehran, and this reconciliation between the two countries nullified Iran’s arguments that the member countries of the Cooperation Council are allies of the United States. This Jordanian analyst said that Araghchi’s visit may reassure the member countries of the Cooperation Council that they are not the target, but it seems Araghchi may ask them to intervene for peace and to stop tensions.
Al-Hawarat stated that Iran’s losses are actually significant because its proactive defense policies are almost collapsing and now Iran’s defense will be from within. He also mentioned that Iran does not have the capability to confront the United States and Israel, hence it seeks peace to prevent Israeli attacks.
