ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran and Saudi Arabia have had several rounds of “good” talks in Baghdad on bilateral issues in recent months, the Iranian foreign ministry said on Thursday, a day after Saudi Arabia expressed hope that ongoing dialogue would result in tangible results. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh told Iranian state media on Thursday that the talks in Baghdad had been moving positively. “We think that if the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pays serious attention to the message of the Islamic Republic of Iran that the solution to the problems in the region lies within the region itself. We must reach a good comprehensive regional mechanism,” he added. While relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have been strained for decades, they took a notable dive in 2016, when Iranian protesters attacked the Saudi diplomatic missions following the Kingdom’s execution of Shiite cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. Khatibzadeh’s statement came after Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud on Wednesday spoke to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) saying that they hope their talks with Iran would lead to tangible results. “Iran is a neighboring country, and we hope that our initial talks with it will lead to tangible results to build confidence,” the monarch told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday via a video link. King Salman caveated his message by adding that he hoped that cooperation would be based on “their cessation of all forms of support for terrorist groups and sectarian militias that has brought nothing but war, destruction and suffering to all the people of the region,” a reference to Iran support for militias across the Middle East including the Houthi rebels in Yemen who have targeted Saudi Arabia cities, airports, and oil installations using armed drones and missiles. King Salman also raised concern over Iran’s nuclear program, saying that the Kingdom finds it important that the Middle East is free of nuclear weapons. “From this standpoint, the Kingdom supports international efforts aimed at preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, and expresses its deep concern over Iranian steps that contradict its commitments and contradict what Iran has always declared that its nuclear program is peaceful,” he said. Other regional powers worried about the growing tension between Riyadh and Tehran have stepped in to bring the two foes to the negotiating tables. In August, Iraqi moderation brought both countries to the table when Baghdad hosted a summit for neighboring countries, a step that was at the time welcomed by Iran. Iran’s ambassador to Iraq has previously welcomed Baghdad’s efforts to mend regional relations. “If Iraq can play any role in bringing Iran closer to the countries with which we have some challenges, or our relations have cooled or political cooperation with them has stopped; we will be happy,” Iraj Masjedi told Iranian state media in April. In late April, Iran said it could enter a “new chapter” with Saudi Arabia, welcoming a “change of tone” from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who said he hoped for improved ties with Tehran. Representatives of Iran and Saudi Arabia have previously held talks in Baghdad, facilitated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Saudi Arabia has had rocky relations with the Islamic Republic since 1979 when Shia revolutionaries came to power and pledged to export their revolution to the world including to the Gulf counties. Iran’s support for the Houthi rebels in the Yemeni civil war since late 2014 has caused concerns for the Saudi establishment.
