The Chinese Mediated Saudi - Iran Deal

Assessing the recent Saudi-Iran agreement to re-establish diplomatic relations through the Chinese mediation, and its potential implications for Pakistan

The Saudi-Iran agreement, signed on March 10, has a potential to alter the Middle Eastern geopolitics. It may bring the two states in sync with the emerging complex multi-polar order and create no space for non-alignment.

The deal, between the two rival states of Iran and Saudi Arabia, through the Chinese mediation, is more likely to defuse than end intra-state conflicts between different groups supported by Iran or Saudi Arabia. The situation in Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon is expected to be positively influenced by the deal. The US air force bombed Iran backed positions on March 24 and the Iran backed forces firing drones at US bases there, if repeated may endanger the whole process. It may not end competitive relations between Saudi Arabia and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Iran, but start a process of normalisation and economic interaction in the coming days. At best, the two states will use their influence over their supported groups to stop violence and encourage dialogue 

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