Arab, Gulf and world countries welcomed on Friday the announcement that Saudi Arabia and Iran had agreed to restore diplomatic relations.
A tripartite statement issued by Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China said Riyadh and Tehran agreed to reopen their embassies and restore representation within a period of two months. They also agreed to activate the security cooperation agreement between them.
Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Muscat's hope that this step would contribute to strengthening the pillars of security and stability in the region and consolidate positive and constructive cooperation that benefits all peoples of the region and world.
Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani held a telephone call with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.
Sheikh Mohammed said Qatar welcomed the agreement reached between Saudi Arabia and Iran to restore diplomatic ties, reported Qatar’s state news agency (QNA).
Doha looks forward to the step boosting security and stability in the region and meeting the aspirations of the peoples in Saudi Arabia, Iran and the whole region.
Iraq’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran to start a "new chapter" of diplomatic relations between the two neighbors.
It highlighted the Iraqi government’s efforts to that end after it had hosted dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran in Baghdad.
The government said the dialogue had laid down strong foundations for the meetings between them that followed in Oman and then China that culminated in the signing of the agreement to restore ties.
The agreement will mark the start of a "new stage" that will have a positive impact on regional cooperation.
Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to United Arab Emirates President, said: "We welcome the agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran to resume diplomatic relations, and we hail the Chinese role in this regard."
"The UAE believes in the importance of positive communication and dialogue among the countries of the region towards consolidating the concepts of good neighborliness and starting from a common ground to build a more stable future for all."
Egypt said it was keen for the agreement to improve stability and ease tensions in the region. Its Foreign Ministry hoped that the agreement would also meet the aspirations of the peoples of the region in achieving development and prosperity.
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry echoed Egypt’s remarks, hoping that the agreement would protect the sovereignty of nations and end meddling in their internal affairs.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation said the agreement gives a "new push towards cooperation between members of the organization."
OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha hoped the agreement would consolidate peace, security and stability in the region.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the "significant diplomatic development will help establish peace and stability in the region and beyond."
Islamabad will continue to play its constructive role in the Middle East and region, it added, hoping that the agreement will serve as a model for regional cooperation and harmony.
Russian deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov described the agreement as a "very positive step" that he believes will have a "positive impact on the overall situation in the region."
Iran’s proxies
Pro-Iran groups welcomed the Beijing declaration.
Mohammed Abdulsalam, senior Houthi militia negotiator, tweeted that the region needs "normal relations to be restored between its countries so that the Islamic nation can restore its security that has been lost due to foreign meddling."
Secretary General of Hezbollah in Lebanon Hassan Nasrallah described the restoration of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran as a "good development."
Skeptical Washington
The Turkish Foreign Ministry welcomed the agreement, saying: "Progress in relations between the two countries will greatly impact the security, stability and prosperity of our region."
The United States said it welcomed the agreement.
White House spokesman John Kirby remarked: "It really does remain to be seen whether the Iranians are going to honor their side of the deal."
He rejected claims that the new agreement demonstrates that China is filling the void the US is leaving in the region.
"I would stridently push back on this idea that we’re stepping back in the Middle East — far from it," he stressed.
"The Saudis did keep us informed about these talks that they were having, just as we keep them informed on our engagements, but we weren't directly involved," he added.
Another White House official said the US had long encouraged direct dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
"Generally speaking, we welcome any efforts to help end the war in Yemen and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East region," a National Security Council official stated.
"De-escalation and diplomacy together with deterrence are key pillars of the policy President Biden outlined during his visit to the region last year."
Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Republican Jim Risch criticized Biden’s policies, which he said had pushed away the United States’ partners and supported the idea that the US was withdrawing from the Middle East.
The Washington’s partners in the Middle East have constantly noted how Biden’s policy leans towards Iran, he told Asharq Al-Awsat. This led them to feel less secure and the US withdrawal from Afghanistan made them question the American commitment.
The more stringent American approach in striking arms sales also compounds the concerns of Washington’s allies, he noted.
The Washington’s focus on the Indo-Pacific region, China in particular, does not mean that it is turning its back on the Middle East, he added.
