Realignment in West Asia.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have been regional rivals for quite some time. The Islamic revolution of 1979 in Iran led to further deterioration in relations between the two countries. During the Iran-Iraq war, Saudi Arabia supported Iraq. The relations faced a setback when there was an uprising in Bahrain for which Iran was accused which led to the Saudi intervention with force. The Saudi fear has been that Iran is trying to have a regional hegemony by controlling the Middle Eastern countries through its proxies. The rise of the Arab spring, conflict and civil wars in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and over Iranian nuclear advances, led to an escalation in the region.

In 2016, the execution of a Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia led to protests in Tehran where the KSA embassy was attacked, resulting in a breakdown of the diplomatic relations. The drone and missile attacks by Iran backed Houthis from Yemen on Saudi installations and ships also worsened the relations. On 10th March 2023, the world was stunned when the news of an agreement was published across the globe between Iran and Saudi Arabia brokered by China. Both the countries have agreed to restore diplomatic relations and reopen embassies. Let us examine the implications of the agreement on the two countries and the region. It will reduce the likelihood of confrontation and chances of war in the Persian Gulf.

The recent escalation was over the issue of Yemen where Houthis (backed by Iran) took control of most of Yemen. This led to an intervention by a Saudi led coalition against Houthis in Yemen. Resultantly the Houthis resorted to drone and missile attacks on Saudi installations and ships carrying oil through the Persian Gulf. However, this agreement will likely restore peace in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia is the largest trading partner with China. China is the largest buyer of Saudi oil and peace in the region will help with the easy shipment of oil to China. China also has good relations with Iran and during the recent visit of the Iranian president to China, 20 agreements were signed. China has been advocating the lifting of US sanctions on Iran and is likely to invest in Iran in near future. Beijing has emerged as a major political diplomatic and peace promoter in the region. By all means, China has replaced the US in West Asia and Middle East. Iran which has...