DOHA — In a world where superpowers vie for influence, the recent China-mediated reconciliation deal last month restoring diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and Thursday's meeting in Beijing between Saudi and Iranian top diplomats, underscores the region's intricacies and offers a rare diplomatic boost.

This agreement may prove to be an important first step in reaching a conclusion over the Yemen war, ongoing between the Saudi coalition and the Iran-backed Houthis since 2014. Furthermore, it opens the door to greater integration with China, as it paves the way for both Saudi Arabia and Iran to potentially become part of the BRICS group, serving as a counterweight to the G7. This will also build on Saudi Arabia’s recent announcement that it is to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a “dialogue partner.”

As both the United States and China seek to strengthen their ties with the Gulf states, the two global powers offer equally valuable benefits, and the Gulf states' interests appear to be best served by maintaining strong relationships with both while benefiting from their shared interests in regional stability and maritime security.

The United States has traditionally been the main security guarantor in the Gulf, providing crucial military support and partnerships. However, the 2003 invasion of Iraq and other events in recent years have raised questions about the steadfastness of this commitment. A lack of US action over the blockade of Qatar; the Sept. 14, 2019, drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities at Abqaiq and Khurais; and the exclusion of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiations with Iran all have resulted in doubts about the United States' continued willingness to safeguard the Gulf states' security interests.