Talks Between Iran and Saudi Arabia Temporarily Suspended

The Islamic Republic of Iran has unilaterally and temporarily suspended talks with Saudi Arabia, several rounds of which had previously been held with the mediation of the Iraqi government.

Noor News, a news outlet close to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, reported on Sunday that citing recent statements by Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Conference regarding the holding of the fifth round of Iran-Saudi Arabia talks on Wednesday, March 16 in Baghdad, Iran has unilaterally suspended these talks temporarily.

According to the report, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan had also announced days earlier the possibility of holding the fifth round of negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Saudi foreign minister had previously said on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference that reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia requires fundamental progress on Riyadh’s concerns and those of regional countries.

Faisal bin Farhan said: “It is not only the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that is concerned about some of Iran’s behaviors in the region. If we witness significant progress on these issues, of course, yes, there is a possibility of reconciliation. We have not seen such progress so far, but we remain hopeful that we will do so and will strive to achieve it.”

Riyadh severed all its relations with Tehran following an attack by a group of protesters in December 2015 on the buildings of its embassy and consulate in Tehran and Mashhad. Tensions between the two countries escalated again in September 2019 following attacks by Iranian government-backed Houthis on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities.

Riyadh and Tehran began negotiations since spring of this year aimed at improving relations with Iraqi mediation. These negotiations coincided with the United Nations’ efforts to end the war in Yemen.

Source: Voice of America