Saudi Arabia and Iran acknowledged China's mediation efforts in a joint statement issued on March 10 that read, "The three countries announce that an agreement has been reached between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, that includes an agreement to resume diplomatic relations between them and re-open their embassies and missions within a period not exceeding two months, and the agreement includes their re-opening of their embassies and missions."
The thaw between Iran and Saudi Arabia is an outstanding development, given the antagonism between the two countries and the tense geopolitical atmosphere of the region and the Muslim world. In addition, China's efforts to mediate signal a potential reorganization of international diplomatic dynamics, given its rising global importance in a world moving swiftly towards multipolarity.
Iran and Saudi Arabia have a long-standing rivalry marked by political, religious, and economic conflicts on many fronts, as well as conflicting regional influence and geopolitical objectives. The execution of Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr by Saudi Arabia in 2016 represented a particularly dark period in the already tense relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia. However, the two nations had already been participating in proxy conflicts in various regions of the Middle East.
The Saudi-Iran rivalry has ramifications far beyond the Middle East, leaving a significant and polarizing sectarian fault line throughout the larger Muslim world. For instance, Pakistan has endured great hardship due to the protracted struggle between the arch-rivals for the right to practice their own religions and rule the Muslim world. The Saudi-Iran rivalry, according to Kim Ghattas' argument in "Black Wave," "went beyond geopolitics, descending into an ever-greater competition for Islamic legitimacy through religious and cultural domination, changing societies from within—not only in Saudi Arabia and Iran but throughout the region." Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran after Saudi authorities executed Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a well-known Shia cleric and outspoken opponent of the Saudi government, in 2016.
Images of smoke rising from the Saudi embassy, fire trucks and riot police stationed outside, and the diplomatic enclave barred powerfully depicted the intensity of many Iranians' fury over the death. Soon after, Saudi Arabia stated it would break diplomatic ties with Iran in reprisal, destroying any prospects for peace. Adel al-Jubeir, the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, expressed his outrage at the storming of his country's diplomatic mission in Iran during a press conference, saying that "these ongoing aggressions against diplomatic missions are a violation of all accords and international conventions."
What has changed since then? The global political and strategic environment in 2016 was very different from now. The JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) accord had been sealed by Iran the previous year. With the sanctions progressively easing, there were better chances for the Iranian economy to recover. Regarding the Kingdom, despite certain reservations Washington had regarding the Kingdom's role in the Yemeni civil war and its human rights record, the two nations' bilateral ties were still strong, and they only got stronger with Donald Trump's election to the White House. Saudi Arabia was the destination of Mr. Trump's first trip abroad.
According to Bruce Riedel, head of Brookings' Intelligence Project, "Mr. Trump was flatter[ed] in every way by the Saudis, and he reciprocated the flattery. Since then, he has effectively written them a blank check for their internal politics and foreign policies.
Trump's generosity was extended to Saudi Arabia, but his vengeance was directed against Iran. Iran found itself in a difficult situation due to the US's decision to reimpose economic sanctions against it and the pressure put on other JCPOA signatories to do the same. General Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Quds Force, was assassinated in the midst of this, further infuriating Iran, which led it to intensify its influence in Iraq and to step up its proxy efforts in the Middle East. This increased Saudi Arabia's concerns about Iran's growing power in the region, feeding a cycle of mistrust and diplomatic conflict.
The tone in Washington however, began to change against Saudi Arabia once Joe Biden was elected president. Because of the Democratic Party's theatrical moral posturing, human rights violations would shape US-Saudi Arabian ties. The Biden administration halted several arms agreements with Saudi Arabia and penalized some people connected to the country over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
The re-evaluation suggested to Saudi Arabia that it ought to rethink its strategy against Iran and seek out new, powerful friends in addition to the United States. Many rounds of negotiations between Saudi and Iranian officials occurred in Iraq and Oman between 2021 and 2022, ultimately resulting in the restoration of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The rapprochement does offer both states the chance and promise of having a meaningful conversation, developing trust, and working to end the innumerable proxy conflicts, but it also demands their absolute commitment. A potent mediator is crucial to ensure that the two states continue on the path of reconciliation. For instance, it took France, Germany, and other Western European nations years of determined effort to erase centuries-old grudges following the Second World War, with the help of active diplomatic, security, and financial backing from the United States.
The People's Republic of China's resolve to refrain from meddling in sovereign states’ internal affairs represents a welcome change from American exceptionalism's performative moral posturing and neo-imperial rationale. Chinese officials are not known for giving fiery speeches on international stages about the moral bankruptcy of their rivals or for proactively making unilateral appeals for war against nations that they claim to be an existential threat to their country. So, China's involvement in the diplomatic process to facilitate reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran is encouraging and offers an alternative to American involvement. It also demonstrates that there are other sheriffs in the town besides America.
The long-standing hegemony of the US in dictating the course of international affairs under its agenda is being challenged by the rise of China as a significant global power. With economic investments in other countries and a shared growth narrative, China's expanding diplomatic presence is another unmistakable sign of its aspirations on the international stage. These patterns suggest that China will gain more from developing close diplomatic ties between the two Gulf nations in the Saudi-Iran situation. China signed a $400 billion deal with Iran for a 25-year collaboration, and more than 25% of Saudi oil imports are going to China.
Furthermore, by mediating the agreement, the People's Republic of China has increased its influence diplomatically in the troubled Middle Eastern region. While not a miracle worker, the recent diplomatic achievement between Saudi Arabia and Iran is undoubtedly a step in the right direction toward easing tensions and advancing stability in the Middle East. Ultimately, the Middle East's route to permanent peace and prosperity will demand endurance, perseverance, and a dedication to constructive engagement. In light of this, China's growing significance and influence indicate a change in the spirit of world diplomacy, a welcome departure from the spirit typified by US adventurism and neo-imperialism.
The thaw between Iran and Saudi Arabia is an outstanding development, given the antagonism between the two countries and the tense geopolitical atmosphere of the region and the Muslim world. In addition, China's efforts to mediate signal a potential reorganization of international diplomatic dynamics, given its rising global importance in a world moving swiftly towards multipolarity.
Iran and Saudi Arabia have a long-standing rivalry marked by political, religious, and economic conflicts on many fronts, as well as conflicting regional influence and geopolitical objectives. The execution of Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr by Saudi Arabia in 2016 represented a particularly dark period in the already tense relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia. However, the two nations had already been participating in proxy conflicts in various regions of the Middle East.
The Saudi-Iran rivalry has ramifications far beyond the Middle East, leaving a significant and polarizing sectarian fault line throughout the larger Muslim world. For instance, Pakistan has endured great hardship due to the protracted struggle between the arch-rivals for the right to practice their own religions and rule the Muslim world. The Saudi-Iran rivalry, according to Kim Ghattas' argument in "Black Wave," "went beyond geopolitics, descending into an ever-greater competition for Islamic legitimacy through religious and cultural domination, changing societies from within—not only in Saudi Arabia and Iran but throughout the region." Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran after Saudi authorities executed Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a well-known Shia cleric and outspoken opponent of the Saudi government, in 2016.
Images of smoke rising from the Saudi embassy, fire trucks and riot police stationed outside, and the diplomatic enclave barred powerfully depicted the intensity of many Iranians' fury over the death. Soon after, Saudi Arabia stated it would break diplomatic ties with Iran in reprisal, destroying any prospects for peace. Adel al-Jubeir, the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, expressed his outrage at the storming of his country's diplomatic mission in Iran during a press conference, saying that "these ongoing aggressions against diplomatic missions are a violation of all accords and international conventions."
What has changed since then? The global political and strategic environment in 2016 was very different from now. The JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) accord had been sealed by Iran the previous year. With the sanctions progressively easing, there were better chances for the Iranian economy to recover. Regarding the Kingdom, despite certain reservations Washington had regarding the Kingdom's role in the Yemeni civil war and its human rights record, the two nations' bilateral ties were still strong, and they only got stronger with Donald Trump's election to the White House. Saudi Arabia was the destination of Mr. Trump's first trip abroad.
According to Bruce Riedel, head of Brookings' Intelligence Project, "Mr. Trump was flatter[ed] in every way by the Saudis, and he reciprocated the flattery. Since then, he has effectively written them a blank check for their internal politics and foreign policies.
Trump's generosity was extended to Saudi Arabia, but his vengeance was directed against Iran. Iran found itself in a difficult situation due to the US's decision to reimpose economic sanctions against it and the pressure put on other JCPOA signatories to do the same. General Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Quds Force, was assassinated in the midst of this, further infuriating Iran, which led it to intensify its influence in Iraq and to step up its proxy efforts in the Middle East. This increased Saudi Arabia's concerns about Iran's growing power in the region, feeding a cycle of mistrust and diplomatic conflict.
The tone in Washington however, began to change against Saudi Arabia once Joe Biden was elected president. Because of the Democratic Party's theatrical moral posturing, human rights violations would shape US-Saudi Arabian ties. The Biden administration halted several arms agreements with Saudi Arabia and penalized some people connected to the country over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
The re-evaluation suggested to Saudi Arabia that it ought to rethink its strategy against Iran and seek out new, powerful friends in addition to the United States. Many rounds of negotiations between Saudi and Iranian officials occurred in Iraq and Oman between 2021 and 2022, ultimately resulting in the restoration of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The rapprochement does offer both states the chance and promise of having a meaningful conversation, developing trust, and working to end the innumerable proxy conflicts, but it also demands their absolute commitment. A potent mediator is crucial to ensure that the two states continue on the path of reconciliation. For instance, it took France, Germany, and other Western European nations years of determined effort to erase centuries-old grudges following the Second World War, with the help of active diplomatic, security, and financial backing from the United States.
The People's Republic of China's resolve to refrain from meddling in sovereign states’ internal affairs represents a welcome change from American exceptionalism's performative moral posturing and neo-imperial rationale. Chinese officials are not known for giving fiery speeches on international stages about the moral bankruptcy of their rivals or for proactively making unilateral appeals for war against nations that they claim to be an existential threat to their country. So, China's involvement in the diplomatic process to facilitate reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran is encouraging and offers an alternative to American involvement. It also demonstrates that there are other sheriffs in the town besides America.
The long-standing hegemony of the US in dictating the course of international affairs under its agenda is being challenged by the rise of China as a significant global power. With economic investments in other countries and a shared growth narrative, China's expanding diplomatic presence is another unmistakable sign of its aspirations on the international stage. These patterns suggest that China will gain more from developing close diplomatic ties between the two Gulf nations in the Saudi-Iran situation. China signed a $400 billion deal with Iran for a 25-year collaboration, and more than 25% of Saudi oil imports are going to China.
Furthermore, by mediating the agreement, the People's Republic of China has increased its influence diplomatically in the troubled Middle Eastern region. While not a miracle worker, the recent diplomatic achievement between Saudi Arabia and Iran is undoubtedly a step in the right direction toward easing tensions and advancing stability in the Middle East. Ultimately, the Middle East's route to permanent peace and prosperity will demand endurance, perseverance, and a dedication to constructive engagement. In light of this, China's growing significance and influence indicate a change in the spirit of world diplomacy, a welcome departure from the spirit typified by US adventurism and neo-imperialism.