Iraqi President Barham Salih confirms that Iran and Saudi Arabia have been meeting in Iraq for diplomatic discussions. International diplomats hope to see an easing of tensions in the Middle East as the regional rivals open the channel for discussion. The diplomacy being hosted in Iraq is also prevalent, as they have sought to play the role of a regional mediator to prevent full-scale conflict. Saudi and Iranian officials have come out to say they are prepared for the prospect of reconciliation.
Saudi/Iranian conflict dates back at least 40 years; when the shah of Iran was toppled in 1979, he was replaced by a leader whose desire was to establish Iran as a regional power through Shia Islam. Saudi Arabia, which is majority Sunni and viewed itself as the leader of the Muslim world, saw Iran’s desire as an indirect attack on its position as ‘leader’. In this sense, one can understand the religious aspect that can classify this as a conflict of ideas, to an extent. Iran, which is crippled by sanctions and Western interference, and does not benefit from Saudi Arabia’s oil money, has worked towards developing proxies by backing other sympathetic regimes throughout the region. As nuanced as the conflict may be, it is a positive sign that the two major powers are taking steps towards diplomacy, a fact which can aid the region as a whole.
Additionally, the Iraqi president has vocalized the desire to see reconciliation between the US and Iran, tensions that have fueled conflict in Iraq. The US and Iran have been indirectly working towards reviving an international pact from 2015, in which sanctions would be removed so long as Iran’s nuclear ambitions are constrained. Former President Trump pulled out of the deal in 2018, imposing sanctions against Iran and its regional allies. Iraqis hope to see regional conflict ease in order to allow their country the chance to truly develop and rebuild, without international actors using the area for their conflicts.