Eve is here. Those who favor Iran should take this seriously, as they are admitting that they are working against the interests of U.S. message outlets like RFE/RL. The increasing number of visible moves towards improving relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran appears to be another move to thwart President Trump.
Updated at 7:25 a.m. ET: An article just published in the Financial Times provides further confirmation. from Gulf states wary of President Donald Trump’s return to ‘maximum pressure’ on Iran:
Saudi Arabia and the UAE remain committed to de-escalating tensions with Iran as they prepare for the return of President Donald Trump, hoping he will end a year-long war in the Middle East. However, they are wary that President Trump’s unpredictability could further escalate tensions.
….The Gulf’s two largest powers, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are changing tack and seeking engagement with Tehran as they question America’s commitment to security. As Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 triggered a wave of regional hostilities and escalated tensions between the United States and Iran, both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi sought to remain on the sidelines. This has become even more urgent…
In a sign of Riyadh’s desire to maintain a cold peace with Iran, Crown Prince Mohammed on Monday welcomed Iranian officials to an Arab-Muslim conference in Jeddah, during which he spoke of Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip. I accused him of being there. He also condemned Israel’s attack on Iran and called on the international community to cease hostilities on Iranian territory.
Separately, UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said Monday at a conference in Abu Dhabi that the incoming Trump administration needs to pursue a “comprehensive” approach rather than “reactive and piecemeal” policies. said.
The comment comes after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates actively courted each other after President Trump took office in 2017, in response to Arabs’ longstanding dissatisfaction with changes in U.S. policy and feelings of disengagement from the region. It emphasizes the changes in
By RFE/RL. Cross Poster crude oil price
- Saudi Arabia’s military chief of staff made an unusual visit to Iran, hinting at strengthening ties between the two countries.
- The visit took place against the backdrop of changing political dynamics in the Middle East, including the recent election of Donald Trump.
- The deterioration of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran could have a serious impact on regional security and stability.
Saudi Arabian military chief of staff Fayad al-Ruwaili met with Iranian chief of staff Mohammad Baqeri in Tehran during an unusual visit on November 10.
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency said the two sides discussed defense diplomacy and the development of bilateral cooperation, without giving details.
According to Iranian media, Baqeri last year discussed regional development and defense cooperation with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud.
Ruwaili is the second senior Saudi official to visit Tehran since Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relations for the first time in seven years following China-mediated talks in March 2023. Prior to this, Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan visited Iran in June 2023.
Saudi Arabia, a Sunni-majority country, became a Shia-based country in 2016 after protesters attacked Iranian diplomatic facilities in Tehran and Mashhad over Riyadh’s execution of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr. It severed diplomatic relations with majority-majority Iran.
The visit comes days after the election of Donald Trump, who will begin his second term as US president in January. He vowed to bring peace to the Middle East, where U.S. ally Israel is at war with Iranian-backed groups in Gaza and Lebanon.
Hamidreza Azizi, a researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Studies, said the timing of the visit was important as it came as countries were preparing for President Trump’s second term in office. .
He said Saudi Arabia’s decision to send a top military official to Tehran was a “signature of its commitment” to the de-escalation process that began last year, adding that “recently improving relations with Iran “We don’t want to be jeopardized by the election of the president.” ”
Separately, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshikian spoke by phone with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss expanding bilateral relations, according to Pezeshikian’s office.
During his first term in office, President Trump built good relations with the Arab states of the Persian Gulf and worked to normalize relations between the Arab states and Iran’s arch-enemy Israel.
Saudi Arabia has not normalized diplomatic relations with Israel, but President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner It is said that there was a discussion Possibility of normalizing diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia after 2021.
In another sign of warming relations, Saudi Arabia announced Last month, it held military exercises with Iran in the Sea of Oman.