Saudi-Iranian Talks Indicate Development in Relations

Officials from Saudi Arabia and Iran held talks in Baghdad on 9 April, marking the first diplomatic contact since ties were severed in 2016. The meeting may signal a development in the Gulf rivalry which has seen Riyadh and Tehran compete for influence, power, and religious authority while backing opposing factions in proxy conflicts across the region.

 The talks reportedly focused on Yemen. In 2015, a Saudi-led coalition intervened to restore President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi to power after his ousting by Houthi forces. Iran has opposed the pro-government coalition and has provided the Houthis with materiel support.

At present, the conflict is a quagmire. The Saudi-coalition has been accused of indiscriminate bombing and war crimes, and Yemen has deteriorated into the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.

While engaging with Iran, Saudi Arabia remains undoubtedly mindful of the United States. President Biden has reversed the previous administration’s designation of the Houthi’s as terrorists, sought to revive an Iranian nuclear deal and announced the cessation of American support to the conflict and relevant arms sales.

Biden has thus far exhibited a far less personalised relationship with Saudi Arabia, with Riyadh wanting to assuage the concerns of its most significant ally, while also demonstrating its viability as a foreign investment destination.

The news should be considered alongside Riyadh’s other peace-making activities: ending the blockade of Qatar alongside an emerging pragmatic approach towards Israel. While hailing the talks as a success would be premature, the meeting may indicate a reassessment of approach in the Saudi-Iranian rivalry.