Breaking: Iran and Saudi Arabia Agree to Resume Diplomatic Ties in a China Brokered Deal that Stuns the US and Signals a new Middle East Direction.

Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed on Friday to re-establish relations after years of distrust and hostility that led to great instability in the Gulf region and fueled conflicts in the Middle East that caused unprecedented devastation and human suffering in Yemen and Syria.

China was instrumental to making the deal happen which was announced after four days of previously undisclosed talks in Beijing between top security Saudi and Iranian officials.

The official statement issued by Iran, Saudi Arabia and China states that both nations will resume diplomatic relations and re-open embassies within two months. It also stated, “the agreement includes their affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs”.

“The deal will make Israel not just unhappy but very angry, and the U.S. not just uncomfortable, but stunned and embarrassed, for many reasons.” 

MLi Group Senior Geopolitical Expert.

“Successive U.S. Obama, Trump and Biden Administrations should be blamed for this US leadership failure to capture the political and economic opportunities this would have represented to the US economy and its international respect and standing. This failure left a gap and an opportunity for China to come and steal the US thunder. I foresee a new direction in the Middle East with a focus on stability and diplomacy – however, I also anticipate that Israel will try to do something to derail this,” added the MLi Group Geopolitical expert.

“In the case of Israel, the Israeli strategy to keep Iran and Saudi Arabia at each other’s throat worked for the last decade or two. However, the announcement signals a new direction for the Middle East that will open the door to resolving many of the stalemates in the region, such as the resumptions of diplomatic relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia, as well as Lebanon’s dire economic and political problems, and the election of a new Lebanese president”, the expert later elaborated.

“Internationally, the deal can have significant value and impact on the Russia – Ukraine war and the respective supporters and allies of the warring sides.” 

“It also opens new doors for greater economic and collaboration opportunities for China with both Gulf nations giving China new strategic anchors in the Middle East it did not have before, and which it can link to its strong presence in Africa to further strengthen its Belt and Road Initiative.”

MLi Group Senior Geopolitical Expert.