Since they signed the “Beijing Agreement” in March 2023, relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran have developed in significant ways. Both sides have been seeking to manage their differences as they reduce tensions in the Arabian Gulf, adopting transparent dialogue as the pathway toward sound and durable relations.
In an extensive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat conducted by Abdulhadi Habtor on August 26, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that bilateral relations between Riyadh and Tehran have entered an “unprecedented phase of cooperation,” describing the Kingdom as a “major regional and Islamic power” that “along with Iran, constitutes one of two key poles in the region.”
This characterization reflects Iran's recognition of Riyadh’s importance- not only as the Arab and Islamic worlds’ center of gravity and the home of the Two Holy Mosques, but also because of its influence in energy markets, global investment, and diplomacy. Saudi Arabia has managed to rally international public opinion in favor of the two-state solution and has secured recognition of a Palestinian state from major countries, with France and the United Kingdom among joining others in announcing their intention to make this move.
Araghchi revealed that three meetings were held between him and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the past year, which is “unprecedented in the history of relations between the two countries.” These meetings, coupled with Riyadh’s clear and firm condemnation of Israel’s attack against Iran, which the Iranian minister praised as “an excellent and powerful stance,” signal a trajectory of rapprochement. They also confirm that Riyadh is serious about this pursuit and, should Tehran show similar commitment, the Kingdom will confidently maintain openness.
For Saudi Arabia, this approach is part of a strategic vision, as it sees reducing tensions in the Middle East as a requisite to achieving the goals of Vision 2030.
Other practical steps that go beyond politics have also been taken. Iranian pilgrims and visitors performing Hajj and Umrah have returned to Makkah and Medina in large numbers, a sign of the revitalization of the social-religious dimension of relations. Saudi Arabia is committed to separating religion from politics, and it stresses that serving the guests of the Holy Mosque is a duty toward all Muslims without exception.
Araghchi noted that Saudi Arabia continued to receive Iranian pilgrims “even during the war,” stressing that more than 80,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj this year, and the number of Umrah pilgrims is expected to reach around 400,000. Its approach reflects Riyadh’s steadfast commitment to its high ethical values, which are cornerstones of its diplomacy, and its consistency in keeping Hajj and Umrah above political disputes.
However, despite these positives, several contentious issues remain unresolved. On the economic front, Araghchi himself admitted that “the door has not been opened wide enough yet,” However, he expressed confidence that bilateral trade would rise substantially. Meanwhile, deep disagreements over regional questions, in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and others, persist. When Araghchi claimed that “disarming Hezbollah is a 100% Israeli plan,” he effectively restricted the scope of any Saudi-Iranian cooperation on ensuring Lebanon’s stability. It leaves the dispute over the role of militias in the state unresolved, as Saudi Arabia continues to insist on exclusive authority for the Lebanese army.
Furthermore, contradictions in Iran’s policies remain evident. The official discourse of the state calls for stability, as Araghchi did when he stressed that “Iran calls for peace and calm in the Gulf and wants free maritime navigation for all”. However, the actions of armed forces and the extreme statements issued by other Iranian leaders continue to unsettle its Gulf neighbors.
Since the Islamic Revolution, Saudi Arabia has consistently pursued a flexible and grounded approach, despite fluctuations in the relations between Riyadh and Tehran, in engaging with its eastern neighbor. Even during the Iran-Iraq war, Riyadh sought, from the start, to bring the conflict to an end, eventually succeeding in facilitating a bilateral agreement through secret negotiations in which it played a crucial role, away from the media spotlight.
One enduring challenge for Saudi policymakers, when visiting Iran or meeting Iranian officials, has been how to deal with two divergent discourses in Iran: a diplomatic and rational discourse that is largely weak and ineffective on one side, and a revolutionary and hostile discourse on the other that has had a significant negative influence and undermined rapprochement efforts. This duality has understandably hindered mutual trust.
Observers seem to agree that the Kingdom is proceeding cautiously and pragmatically but without hesitation, taking step-by-step measures toward building trust. The goal is to establish relations based on mutual respect and balanced interests with Iran, and to steer clear of sectarian alignment and avoid sharp polarization.
For this positive dynamic to continue, Tehran must take tangible steps. The most significant of these steps is regional de-escalation. Iran must demonstrate a commitment to reescalation in Lebanon and Yemen, in order to lessen the countries’ humanitarian and political burdens, and it must build trust by guaranteeing maritime safety and refraining from “sleeper cells” attacks on the Gulf states or attacks on local and foreign interests in Arab territories. Reforming the political discourse of Iran’s official institutions is another crucial step in this direction, particularly the statements of IRGC leaders, thereby ensuring that its messaging remains consistent.
Despite the significance of Minister Abbas Araghchi ’s Asharq Al-Awsat interview and the many positive points he made, Riyadh and Tehran are currently “assessing intentions.” If Iran manages to translate words into actions, cooperation between these “two major poles,” as Araghchi put it, could pave the way for unprecedented regional stability. However, if contradictions persist and the exploitation of proxies continues, stagnation could replace progress.
