Saudi Arabia, Iran to hold first ‘public’ meeting on reconciliation talks in Baghdad

Iraq says it will host a “public” meeting between Iran and Saudi Arabia at the level of foreign ministers as part of successive reconciliation talks mediated by Baghdad.

"The Saudi crown prince asked us to host the meeting of the Saudi foreign minister with his Iranian counterpart in Baghdad. I contacted the foreign minister of Iran about this. We are preparing the meeting, trying to find the best time to invite the foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia," said Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on Saturday.

"It will be a public meeting, unlike previous encounters which were secret and were held between intelligence and security officials," Hussein was quoted as saying. 

Iraq has hosted five rounds of talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran at the level of intelligence and security heads since last April, he added.

Both Tehran and Riyadh have hinted at some headway in recent rounds of talks, although they remain divided over some contentious issues, mainly the devastating Saudi-led coalition's war on Yemen.

Iran resumes fifth round of fence-mending talks with Saudi Arabia: Report

High-ranking representatives of Iran and Saudi Arabia have reportedly resumed the fifth round of talks aimed at mending troubled ties between the two Persian Gulf neighbors.

Last week, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian appreciated the “constructive” role of Iraq in advancing regional dialogue and said there has been “progress” in the last five rounds of talks with Saudi Arabia.

Amir-Abdollahian said he had told Iraqi mediators that Tehran is ready for a new political and security phase with Riyadh, expressing hope that the measure would “eventually lead to the return of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran relations to normal.” 

Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran in January 2016 after Iranian protesters, enraged by the Saudi execution of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, stormed its embassy in Tehran.

The kingdom then pursued a confrontational foreign policy toward the Islamic Republic, especially during the US administration of Donald Trump, with whom the Saudi rulers shared close ties.

The kingdom appears to have recently changed course, showing willingness through diplomatic channels and third parties to mend fences with Tehran and resume bilateral relations.

Iran lauds Iraq for promoting regional dialogue after Biden's failed West Asia tour

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has commended Baghdad for its role in promoting dialogue in West Asia with the aim of enhancing security and stability in the region

Jordan’s king: All Arab countries want good relations with Iran

In a separate development on Saturday, Jordanian King Abdullah II stressed the need for "dialogue" to ease regional tensions and said the entire Arab states favor good relations with the Islamic Republic.

“We do not want tension in the region, and Jordan and all Arab countries want good relations with Iran based on mutual respect, good neighborliness, respect for the sovereignty of countries and non-interference in their affairs,” King Abdullah told the official Jordanian newspaper Al Rai.

Abdullah said “dialogue is a way to resolve differences,” adding that “the region does not need new crises and conflicts, but rather cooperation and coordination.”

However, the Jordanian king repeated baseless accusations against Tehran that “Iranian interference affects Arab countries,” adding, “We hope to see a change in the behavior of Iran, and this must be achieved on the ground.”

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