Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman seeks good relations with Iran

[ASKardar]

"Iran is a neighbouring country, and all we aspire for is a good and special relationship with Tehran," Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said during an interview after sources said officials from the two countries held secret talks in Iraq.

Saudi Arabia's crown prince has struck a conciliatory tone towards the kingdom's arch-nemesis Iran, saying he sought "good relations," after sources said the rivals held secret talks in Baghdad.

The two countries, locked in a fierce struggle for regional dominance, cut ties in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the kingdom's execution of a revered Shia cleric.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made his comments in a television interview broadcast late on Tuesday.

"We do not want Iran's situation to be difficult. On the contrary, we want Iran to grow... and to push the region and the world towards prosperity."

He added that Riyadh was working with regional and global partners to find solutions to Tehran's "negative behaviour."

That marks a change in tone compared to Prince Mohammed's previous interviews, in which he lashed out at Tehran, accusing it of fuelling regional insecurity.

The prince did not mention any negotiations with Tehran.

Call for a ceasefire in Yemen

The talks in Baghdad, facilitated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al Kadhemi, remained secret until the Financial Times reported that a first meeting had been held on April 9.

An Iraqi government official confirmed the talks to AFP, while a Western diplomat said he had been "briefed in advance" about the effort to "broker a better relationship and decrease tensions."

Riyadh has officially denied the talks in its state-backed media while Tehran has stayed mum, asserting only that it has "always welcomed" dialogue with Saudi Arabia.

The initiative comes at a time of shifting power dynamics, as US President Joe Biden is seeking to revive the tattered 2015 nuclear deal that was abandoned by Donald Trump.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have backed opposite sides of several regional conflicts, from Syria to Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting the Houthi rebels.

Iran supports the Houthi rebels, who are battling the Saudi-led military coalition that intervened in Yemen's war in 2015.

The rebels have also stepped up drone and missile strikes on Saudi targets, including its oil facilities.

In his interview, Prince Mohammed renewed calls for a ceasefire and negotiations with the rebels.

https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/mbs-seeks-good-relations-with-iran-46272

 

[Dariush the Great]

 

[Abid123]

You dont want peace?

 

[denel]

I wonder what prompted this pompous Donkey Master BoneSawer to change his tune?

 

[Surya 1]

"Iran is a neighbouring country, and all we aspire for is a good and special relationship with Tehran," Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said during an interview after sources said officials from the two countries held secret talks in Iraq.

Saudi Arabia's crown prince has struck a conciliatory tone towards the kingdom's arch-nemesis Iran, saying he sought "good relations," after sources said the rivals held secret talks in Baghdad.

The two countries, locked in a fierce struggle for regional dominance, cut ties in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the kingdom's execution of a revered Shia cleric.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made his comments in a television interview broadcast late on Tuesday.

"We do not want Iran's situation to be difficult. On the contrary, we want Iran to grow... and to push the region and the world towards prosperity."

He added that Riyadh was working with regional and global partners to find solutions to Tehran's "negative behaviour."

That marks a change in tone compared to Prince Mohammed's previous interviews, in which he lashed out at Tehran, accusing it of fuelling regional insecurity.

The prince did not mention any negotiations with Tehran.

Call for a ceasefire in Yemen

The talks in Baghdad, facilitated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al Kadhemi, remained secret until the Financial Times reported that a first meeting had been held on April 9.

An Iraqi government official confirmed the talks to AFP, while a Western diplomat said he had been "briefed in advance" about the effort to "broker a better relationship and decrease tensions."

Riyadh has officially denied the talks in its state-backed media while Tehran has stayed mum, asserting only that it has "always welcomed" dialogue with Saudi Arabia.

The initiative comes at a time of shifting power dynamics, as US President Joe Biden is seeking to revive the tattered 2015 nuclear deal that was abandoned by Donald Trump.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have backed opposite sides of several regional conflicts, from Syria to Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting the Houthi rebels.

Iran supports the Houthi rebels, who are battling the Saudi-led military coalition that intervened in Yemen's war in 2015.

The rebels have also stepped up drone and missile strikes on Saudi targets, including its oil facilities.

In his interview, Prince Mohammed renewed calls for a ceasefire and negotiations with the rebels.

https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/mbs-seeks-good-relations-with-iran-46272

This is a great news. Prince Salman seems to be a very wise mature and visionary leader.

 

[m52k85]

I wonder what prompted this pompous Donkey Master BoneSawer to change his tune?

From Trump to Biden US has pushed Saudis while given space to Iran (restarting nuclear negotiations). Obviously the prince feels he is in a vulnerable position.

Expect anti-Iran work to come from Israel and UAE in future.

 

[raptor22]

Good for start if his words are genuine ... Iran should welcome it even-though its many offers for dialogue was rejected every single time in past couple of years ...
The differences is besides sanctions that have not worked American priority has got more focus on China and Russia for now so no time for another 20 years never ending war in south west Asia region that could prevent them from more important issues ... esp with a country that has got the will and power to respond ...

 

[Azadkashmir]

be careful dont get stabbed in the back like ottoman.

 

[T-SaGe]

be careful dont get stabbed in the back like ottoman.

The Ottoman Arab uprisings took place by Hussein bin Ali Al-Hashimi and his supporters. Hussein was a statesman who was born in Istanbul and received his court education and was later appointed as sheriff of Mecca, by Abdulhamit, the ottoman sultan and caliph. (The Mecca was traditionally ruled by sheriffs, descendants of Hasan bin Ali, the grandson of the beloved Prophet (s.a.v). Ottomans took control of region in 1517, but always respected the sheriffs' autonomy.)

While the Turks were fighting against Russia, British and French for the Islamic caliphate, Sharif Hussein argued that the Turks had betrayed Islam. Then formed an alliance with the British.

Sharif Hussein's idea of revolt became clear after his son Emir Abdullah's talks with British officials in Cairo, Egypt, in the first week of February 1914. Sharif Hussein made his first offer to the British on July 2, 1915, and informed by a private letter that if the Arabs were allowed to form as an independent government south of the line to be drawn from Mersin and Adana to Mosul, he would revolt against the Islamic Caliph he was subject. The Sheriff Hussein-British talks ended with a mutual agreement on March 10, 1916. In the period until 6 November 1916, Hussein received a payment of 773 thousand Pounds.

After the Franco-British alliance achieve their goals, land promised to Sharif Hussein did not given, and even they declared a Jewish settlement by Balfour Declaration. Hussein did not accept these mandate states and declared himself the king of all Arabs. He even declared himself Caliph in 1924. His relationship with the British suffered greatly because he did not accept the Treaty of Versailles. Meanwhile, he faced Saudi and Wahhabi attacks supported by the British.

After a while, he was captured in Taif by the Ihvan, supported by the Saudis, and exiled by the British to the island of Cyprus. For a few years laters he moved to Jordan, where his son was king, and died there.

TL;DR No betrayal ends with a happy ending.

 

[Philip the Arab]

be careful dont get stabbed in the back like ottoman.

They aren't unifying, simply the conflict between the two countries will stop.

 

[Trango Towers]

I wonder what prompted this pompous Donkey Master BoneSawer to change his tune?

A phone call from Biden

 

[CrazyZ]

They aren't unifying, simply the conflict between the two countries will stop.

First step must be taken. GCC and Iran have to think about life after oil. A MENA regional bloc with 1 billion people and 25% of the worlds strategic resources will have immense economic potential to produce and consume. Region has 100 years to get its act together and become the next potential global power. Lets not forget that Arab and ottoman currencies were global reserve currencies at the height of the silk road. This can happen again.

 

[Arian]

I wonder what prompted this pompous Donkey Master BoneSawer to change his tune?

Probably constant failures in the Yemen war, a new US president that is much less willing to support them, and the fear of Turkey's growing regional power. Iran isn't the only non-Arab country "interfering" in the Arab world anymore.

 

[Goritoes]

If the approach is genuine then Iran should return the favor.

 

[Philip the Arab]

First step must be taken. GCC and Iran have to think about life after oil. A MENA regional bloc with 1 billion people and 25% of the worlds strategic resources will have immense economic potential to produce and consume. Region has 100 years to get its act together and become the next potential global power. Lets not forget that Arab and ottoman currencies were global reserve currencies at the height of the silk road. This can happen again.

Not going to happen dude.