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Saudi Iranian Rapprochement
Saudi Iranian Rapprochement
-Shristi Sharma
The announcement of a deal to reestablish diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia came
on March 10 after representatives of both nations had been meeting covertly for five days in
Beijing, China. The two nations have been at odds for more than four decades, with tensions
first emerging at a low level during a previous détente in the 1990s and then rising in the last
two decades. Seven years ago, Riyadh publicly cut its ties with Tehran. Although the nations’
efforts to heal ties were well known—Iraq and Oman having previously held rounds of
negotiations between Iranian and Saudi officials—China’s participation in mediating the
agreement as well as how quickly the thaw has developed were unexpected. The Joint Trilateral
Statement released by the three nations portends a geopolitical shift that will see China play a
bigger role in a region where the United States has traditionally held sway.