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OpINION JANUARY 21, 2022 | The Indian Eye 12

iran’s regional diplomatic Push: is a

breakthrough with riyadh Possible?

The risk of direct war with Iran and uncertainties about the US security guarantees led key US

allies the UAE and Saudi Arabia to seek dialogue with Tehran

DEEPIKA SARASWAT

n 23 December 2021, Iran’s
Foreign Minister (FM) Hos-
Osein Amir-Abdollahian, while
addressing a joint press meet with
his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein
hailed the efforts made by the Iraqi
government to clear misunderstand-
ings between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Abdollahian declared that Tehran
would participate in the next round
of talks with Riyadh, which would
also be held in Baghdad. More im-
portantly, he expressed readiness for
exchanging visits of technical delega-
tions to their “respective embassies
and make necessary preparations for
the restoration of mutual relations”.
Abdollahian’s remarks put to rest
the doubts about future course of
Iran–Saudi dialogue as many in Iran,
including Abdollahian himself, have
blamed Riyadh for “delayed repatri-
ation” of Tehran’s envoy to Yemen, The Revolutionary Guards play a very important role in Iran’s defense and foreign policy
Hassan Irloo, who died of Covid-19
two days after he returned home. geopolitical competition and proxy and Bahrain in the tumultuous years from Israel. As the Foreign Ministry
Since April 2021, when Tehran wars involving Saudi Arabia and its after the Arab uprisings, his vision of pushes for political resolution of re-
and Riyadh initiated behind-the- Arab allies and Turkey and Iran. A Iran’s regional policy closely resem- gional issues, the IRGC and its allies
scenes talks in Baghdad in parallel unified regional policy under Raisi bles that of the IRGC. Soon after in the ‘resistance axis’ raise the costs
to the talks between Iran and P4+1 administration and the US support being confirmed as the Foreign Min- of anti-Iran policy by regional rivals.
and the US in Vienna to revive the for regional diplomacy means that ister, he met with the IRGC’s Quds This unified approach was on display
nuclear agreement, four rounds of a détente might be reached between Force’s Commander Brigadier Gen- in the wake of the five-day large-scale
dialogue have been completed. The Iran and Saudi Arabia. eral Esmail Qa’ani, during which he naval and air defense exercise by the
latest round of talks was held in Sep- lauded the Quds Force for its role in IRGC covering the coastlines of the
tember soon after Iran’s newly elect- a Unified regional Policy fighting terrorism in the region and three southern provinces of Hor-
ed President Ebrahim Raisi had put Unlike during the Rouhani ad- stated that foreign ministry under his mozgan, Bushehr and Khuzestan.
together his foreign policy team. The ministration, when there were dif- watch “will proudly follow the path The exercise took place just days be-
Iranian side outlined regional diplo- ferences over Iran’s regional policy of martyred General Soleimani”. fore the eighth round of nuclear talks
macy as its priority and expressed its between Iran’s Ministry of Foreign In May 2021 in the aftermath of began between Iran and signatories
willingness to raise the level of nego- Affairs and the powerful security-in- the leaked audio of former Foreign of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of
tiators. Saudi FM Faisal bin-Farhan telligence apparatus, especially the Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s Action (JCPOA) and amid renewed
al-Saud, while confirming behind- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps interview criticizing the IRGC for Israeli threats of military strike on
the-scenes talks with Tehran, main- (IRGC), the Raisi administration’s undermining foreign ministry’s re- Iran’s nuclear facilities.
tained that they were still in an “ex- regional policy appears to be co- gional diplomacy, Supreme Leader, Congratulating the IRGC on the
ploratory phase” and expressed hope hesive, and coordinated with the Ayatollah Khamenei, had publicly exercise, President Raisi echoed the
that the “talks will resolve the issues IRGC. It is worth noting that FM lauded the Guards as “being the big- Guards message of deterrence: “Any
stuck between the two countries”. Hossein Abdollahian is a career dip- gest, effective factor in preventing hostile action by our enemies will
Iran’s readiness for dialogue and lomat with wide-ranging experience passive diplomacy in West Asia”. face a comprehensive and definitive
restoring diplomatic relations with in Iran’s Arab neighborhood. His last As Raisi government seeks dialogue response from the Armed Forces
Saudi Arabia after six years since Ri- official title was deputy foreign minis- with its Gulf neighbors, the IRGC of the Islamic Republic of Iran that
yadh cut ties in January 2016 is part ter for Arab and North Africa Affairs is strengthening military capabili- would change the strategic equations
of broader revival of diplomacy in (2011–16). Having handled Iranian ties and deterrence against pressure significantly.” The convergence of
the region after a decade of intense policies towards Iraq, Syria, Yemen from United States (US) and threats Continued at next page... >>

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