Relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran are heating up as the Middle East prepares for Trump's return

Saudi Arabia's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Fayyad al-Ruwaili met his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Baqeri on November 10 during a rare visit to Tehran.

Iran's official IRNA news agency said they discussed the development of defense diplomacy and bilateral cooperation, without giving details.

Iranian media said Baqeri discussed regional developments and defense cooperation with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman al-Saud last year.

Ruwaili is only the second senior Saudi official to travel to Tehran since Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to resume diplomatic ties in March 2023 following China-brokered talks after seven years. Previously, Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan visited Iran in June 2023.

Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia cut ties with Shiite-dominated Iran in 2016 after its diplomatic facilities in Tehran and Mashhad were attacked by protesters over the execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr in Riyadh.

The trip comes a few days after the election of Donald Trump, whose second term as US president begins in January. He has promised to bring peace to the Middle East, where U.S. ally Israel is waging wars against Iranian-backed groups in Gaza and Lebanon.

Hamidreza Azizi, a fellow at the German Institute for International Politics and Security, said the timing of the trip is significant as various countries prepare for a second Trump presidency.

He said the Saudis' decision to send their top military official to Tehran was “a signal that they are committed to the détente process” that began last year and that “they do not want Trump's election to change the recent situation.” “Improving relations with Iran are at risk.” “

Separately, Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian spoke by phone with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman and discussed expanding bilateral relations, Pezeshkian's office said.

Trump had good relations with Arab Gulf states in his first term and worked to normalize relations between Arab states and Iran's arch-enemy Israel.

Saudi Arabia has not normalized relations with Israel, but Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner has is said to have spoken about it the possibility of normalization with Saudi Arabia since 2021.

Another sign of warming relations is Saudi Arabia announced Last month there were military exercises with Iran in the Sea of ​​Oman.

From RFE/RL

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