Skip to main content

Iraq helps broker Iran-Saudi negotiations

The latest Iran-Saudi talks in Iraq have been the most productive, according to reports.
VIENNA, AUSTRIA - MAY 24: The flag of Iran is seen in front of the building of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Headquarters ahead of a press conference by Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, about the agency's monitoring of Iran's nuclear energy program on May 24, 2021 in Vienna, Austria. The IAEA has been in talks with Iran over extending the agency's monitoring program. Meanwhile Iranian and international representatives have been in talks in recent weeks in Vienna over reviving the

Iraq hosted the fifth round of Iran-Saudi talks in Baghdad last Thursday. After about a year of dialogue, this meeting showed significant progress as the two countries agreed on a general roadmap for normalizing relations.

The Iranian news agency Noor News published a photo of the last meeting, which shows the Iraqi prime minister standing between the director general of the Saudi’s General Intelligence Directorate, Khalid bin Ali Al Humaidan, and a high ranking official in Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

In a television interview on April 26, the Iraqi foreign minister, Fuad Hussein, said that the fifth round of the dialogue witnessed great progress and the two parties agreed on several important issues. Hussein has confirmed “the next meeting will be held on a high level.”

Noor News predicted that the two countries' foreign ministries will meet soon. It also acknowledged the role of Iraq and Oman in the process of dialogue between the two countries.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh, confirmed the role of Iraq and Oman on Monday, and predicted that the level of representatives at the talks will be boosted and “there will be faster progress in various areas of these talks."

Fuad Hussein said on Monday that Iran and Saudi Arabia have reached a 10-point memorandum in the latest round of talks. The memorandum includes organizing Iran's participation in upcoming Hajj pilgrimage season, the two countries receiving delegations to visit their embassies and consulates in order to prepare for opening them, and Iran opening its office for the Islamic Cooperation Organization in its embassy in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia cut off relations with Iran in January 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran over Riyadh’s execution of the Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

Yemen of course received significant attention in the meeting, especially since this round of talks took place a few week after the ceasefire, which opened an opportunity for peace negotiations between the Saudis and Houthis in Yemen.

Yemen's eight-year-long war has been at the center of the conflict between the two countries, as Saudi Arabia supports the Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi-led government in the south and Iran supports the Houth-led government in the north.

The progress in the latest Iran-Saudi talks occurs as a UN truce on Yemen is now four weeks old and holding.  

In addition to hosting the talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iraq organized a regional conference last year that witnessed a historic meeting between Qatari Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, after 15 years of severed ties.

 

Join hundreds of Middle East professionals with Al-Monitor PRO.

Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. Try it for free and cancel anytime.

Already a Member? Sign in

Free

The Middle East's Best Newsletters

Join over 50,000 readers who access our journalists dedicated newsletters, covering the top political, security, business and tech issues across the region each week.
Delivered straight to your inbox.

Free

What's included:
Our Expertise

Free newsletters available:

  • The Takeaway & Week in Review
  • Middle East Minute (AM)
  • Daily Briefing (PM)
  • Business & Tech Briefing
  • Security Briefing
  • Gulf Briefing
  • Israel Briefing
  • Palestine Briefing
  • Turkey Briefing
  • Iraq Briefing
Expert

Premium Membership

Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region.

$25.00 / month
billed annually

Become Member Start with 1-week free trial
What's included:
Our Expertise AI-driven

Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics.

Live Video Q&A - Hear from our top journalists and regional experts.

Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs.

Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates.

All premium Industry Newsletters - Monitor the Middle East's most important industries. Prioritize your target industries for weekly review:

  • Capital Markets & Private Equity
  • Venture Capital & Startups
  • Green Energy
  • Supply Chain
  • Sustainable Development
  • Leading Edge Technology
  • Oil & Gas
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Banking

We also offer team plans. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team.

Already a Member? Sign in

Security Briefing Security Briefing

Security Briefing

Middle East defense and security in your inbox

Trend Reports

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (4th R) attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on February 22, 2019. (Photo by HOW HWEE YOUNG / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HOW HWEE YOUNG/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

From roads to routers: The future of China-Middle East connectivity

A general view shows the solar plant in Uyayna, north of Riyadh, on March 29, 2018. - On March 27, Saudi announced a deal with Japan's SoftBank to build the world's biggest solar plant. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

Regulations on Middle East renewable energy industry starting to take shape

Start your PRO membership today.

Join the Middle East's top business and policy professionals to access exclusive PRO insights today.

Join Al-Monitor PRO Start with 1-week free trial