A New Chapter in Iran-Saudi Relations Begins with Araqchi’s Visit
A new chapter in Iran-Saudi relations begins with Araqchi’s visit. Seyed Abbas Araqchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, has traveled to Saudi Arabia and is also expected to visit other countries in the region. This visit coincides with the tension between Iran and Israel due to Iran’s missile attack on the occupied territories and Israel’s operations in Lebanon.
Araqchi is going to Riyadh while Tehran emphasizes its right to respond decisively to any Israeli attack on Iran, which signifies a significant escalation of a conflict that could affect the entire region. Considering that in recent days, news from Reuters reported messages from the GCC countries to Iran about neutrality in the current conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv, what message will Araqchi’s imminent visit to Saudi Arabia convey?
For the first time since taking office in August, Iran’s Foreign Minister is going to Saudi Arabia, with the aim of discussing regional issues and halting the war in Gaza and Lebanon.
He said that consultations to stop the crimes and condemn Israel continue, and we have repeatedly stated that Iran is not seeking war but is not afraid of it either and is prepared for any scenario.
Araqchi, noting that all necessary targets for an attack have been identified, said that his country’s policy is to stop the conflicts and reach an acceptable ceasefire. The head of Iran’s diplomatic apparatus said that relations with the GCC countries have seen many turning points, but there is a will for cooperation. In September, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran seeks to strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan.
Since the signing of the reconciliation agreement and the resumption of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia in Beijing on March 20, 2023, Riyadh and Tehran have been working towards aligning viewpoints and strengthening cooperation to normalize bilateral relations in various fields and exchanging high-level official visits over the past year. Amid the current war, the GCC countries have adopted an approach to prevent war in the region.
In early October 2024, Reuters, citing three informed sources, wrote that the ministers of the GCC countries in Doha discussed reducing tensions in the region following Iran’s missile attack on the occupied territories. According to these sources, the GCC countries sent a message to Iran assuring it of neutrality in the conflict amid the potential and concerns about the war spreading across the region.
Iran has repeatedly, especially through Pezeshkian during his trip to Qatar, emphasized that it will respond forcefully to any further Israeli actions. According to American and Hebrew media, Israel may target Iran’s intelligence and strategic positions, in addition to nuclear sites and oil facilities, in retaliation for Iran’s attack.
In this context, Jordanian political analyst Munther al-Hawarat said that Araqchi’s visit is an attempt to contain the explosive situation between Iran, the US, and Israel. In an interview with Al-Khaleej Online, he said that Iran is seeking middle-ground solutions because it is certain that an Israeli attack might target its nuclear program, and Iran does not want Israeli and American missiles to reach it. The political analyst added that Iran is trying to propose initiatives to calm the situation in the region or at least prevent an Israeli attack, but nothing has been proposed yet.
He clarified that if it weren’t for the reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the GCC countries might have been a target for Tehran, and it was this reconciliation that neutralized Iran’s arguments that the GCC countries are partners with the US. The Jordanian analyst said that Araqchi’s visit might reassure the GCC countries that they are not being targeted, but it seems Araqchi might ask them to intervene to calm the situation and stop the tensions.
Al-Hawarat said that Iran’s losses are indeed significant because its policies, based on preemptive defense, are almost collapsing, and now Iran’s defense will be from within. He stated that Iran does not have the capability to confront the US and Israel, hence it is seeking to calm the situation to prevent Israeli attacks.
