Why China Matters in Brokering the Saudi-Iran Peace Pact
Written by Rachmania Utami
After years of hostility, Saudi Arabia and Iran have finally agreed to restore diplomatic relations. Brokered by China, a trilateral meeting was set up in Beijing, inviting officials from the two conflicting states to negotiate. The accord was finally reached after five days of intensive negotiations in Beijing and two years of Saudi-Iran back-door talks in Oman and Iraq (Farouk, 2023). As a result of the Agreement, both countries have agreed to reopen their respective embassies in Riyadh and Tehran within the next two months, signalling a new era of diplomatic relations between the two Middle-Eastern powers (NPR, 2023).
Historically, Saudi Arabia and Iran relations have always been marked by tension and hostility that is rooted in both religious and political differences, as well as their competing ambitions for regional dominance. Saudi Arabia’s claim to leadership of the Islamic world was challenged by the emergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979. Shortly after gaining its independence through an Islamic Revolution, Iran had the desire to export said revolution to the Gulf and increase its influence in Islamic countries – establishing itself as the leader of the Middle East. Posing a direct threat to Saudi Arabia which also desired hegemony in the Arab World. Saudi Arabia and Iran’s ongoing struggle for regional supremacy was later conceptualised in the form of supporting groups that adhere to their respective brands of Islam: Shia for Iran and Sunni for Saudi Arabia (Modebadze, 2018). The two countries’ involvement can be seen in Syria, Bahrain, Lebanon, Qatar, and Iraq (Gerges, 2013; Mabon, n.d.; Ghattas, 2016; Kenyon, 2017; Rubin, 2016). The latest iteration of it can be seen in the Yemeni civil war, where Saudi Arabia has led a coalition of Arab states in a military campaign against the Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran (Tisdall, 2018).
Attempts have been made to broker peace between Saudi Arabia and Iran, notably by Oman and Iraq (Farouk, 2023). Despite the effort, the tension between the two states persisted as both continues to engage in various proxy conflicts across the Middle East. Therefore some analysts have suggested that only China could have brokered such a peace pact, given its unique position as an important economic partner of both Saudi Arabia and Iran (Middle East Briefing, 2023). Moreover, unlike other major powers such as the United States and Russia, China has refrained from taking either side in the Saudi-Iranian rivalry and has maintained friendly relations with both countries. As mentioned earlier, China is an important economic partner for both Saudi Arabia and Iran as China represents a significant portion of Iran’s international trade —accounting for 30% – while also serving as Saudi Arabia’s top export market for oil (Alterman, 2023; Batrawy, 2023).
The Middle East has long been plagued by conflict and violence, but the recent signing of the peace agreement between the two proclaimed regional hegemons may shed some hope for a brighter future. Though there are still challenges to overcome, this agreement represents a landmark occasion that could help pave the way for lasting peace and stability in the region.
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