Why are Tehran and Riyadh now seeking reconciliation? What is Biden’s relationship and what is Israel’s role?

Hassan Al-Barari, professor of international relations at the University of Qatar, said that the departure of President Donald Trump from the White House and the arrival of Democrat Joe Biden, have contributed to a significant change in the political orientations of the countries of the region.

In statements to the “Beyond the News” program, Al-Barari said that after the departure of the Trump administration and the rise of Joe Biden to power, he forced many countries in the region to change their policies, to conform to Biden’s directions which are completely different from those of his predecessor, which has considerably reinforced the differences between countries in the region.

Today, foreign newspapers cited Iraqi and Iranian diplomatic sources as confirming the meeting of senior Saudi officials with their Iranian counterparts in Iraq. To discuss ways to end their disputes. The same sources also referred to meetings in Baghdad that brought together Egyptian and Jordanian officials with other Iranians in a bid to achieve rapprochement with Iran, Egypt and Jordan.

Al-Barari, in turn, stressed that he did not rule out such talks taking place, and said that the circumstances which had prevented the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement from occurring had now disappeared, and he also considered that everyone’s desire to end The crisis in Yemen after all these years is one of the factors pushing the Saudi-Iranian dialogue.

He explained that the escalation of the Houthi attacks on Riyadh had helped the Saudis realize that there was no solution to their crisis with the Houthis without Tehran.

He also stressed that it was in Baghdad’s interest to host these talks. Because it does not want to turn into an arena for regional or international dispute settlement, and therefore Iraq is one of the biggest beneficiaries of Iranian rapprochement with countries in the region.

Al-Barari said Saudi Arabia now understands that she is not appearing to him and that Israel, with its destructive intentions, cannot be its back. Consequently, Saudi Arabia has become convinced that it is better for it to discuss with Iran and agree with it on mechanisms to stabilize the stability and security of the region, and not to impose these. mechanisms to Iran, also noting the fears of countries in the region over Iranian-Chinese rapprochement, which would give Iran additional political power, after the signing of a comprehensive agreement between the two countries.

Indirect discussions

But Abdullah Al-Ghailani, the Omani strategic affairs researcher, ruled out that what happened between Tehran and Riyadh was a direct dialogue, and said the geopolitical conditions between the two countries did not yet allow such a dialogue. But he expected the dialogue to take place indirectly.

Al-Ghailani was also surprised that a dialogue had taken place in Baghdad, stressing that Iraq, due to its political complexities, was not suitable to be a basis for dialogue, and said the Omani capital (Muscat) or Qatar (Doha) is most appropriate for such a dialogue. Publicity

And he said the Saudi-Iranian conflict is at the heart of the conflict with Iran in the region, while other Gulf countries, such as Kuwait, Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman, have been able to find a formula. compromise for the relationship. with Iran, and that the UAE has the strongest trade relationship with Iran, while Bahrain is seen as a small country and has political influence.

As for issues the Saudis and Iranians might discuss to end their differences, Ghailani expected the crisis in Yemen and the Houthis to be specifically at the top of those issues, as well as the expansion of political influence. Iranian influence in the region, the influence of Tehran. in Iraq and the crisis in Syria, as well as the exploitation of the Shiite minority in Bahrain.

Regarding the normalization of the Gulf with Israel, Al-Barari ruled out that this issue worries Iran, and considered that what concerns him with the normalization of the Gulf with Israel, is not to consider Israel either. as an additional power in the Gulf at the expense of Iran. as not giving Israel influence in Gulf waters that prejudices Iranian interests.