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Saudi Arabia to Revive Iran Ties With Assist from China
Has the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan caused a geopolitical earthquake in the Middle East?
“Archrivals Iran and Saudi Arabia agree to end years of hostilities in deal mediated by China,” announced CNN on March 10, 2023.
“Riyadh and Tehran plan to reopen their embassies within two months in an agreement mediated by China, Saudi Arabia and Iran said in a joint statement after talks in Beijing on Friday,” reported CNN.
“Saudi Arabia, Iran Restore Relations in Deal Brokered by China,” echoed the Wall Street Journal. “Accord marks diplomatic victory for Beijing in a region where U.S. has long dominated geopolitics.”
“The deal signals a sharp increase in Beijing’s influence in a region where the U.S. has long been the dominant power broker, and could complicate efforts by the U.S. and Israel to strengthen a regional alliance to confront Tehran as it expands its nuclear program,” warned the Wall Street Journal.
“It remains unclear, however, what this means for America,” admitted the Associated Press on Friday. “Though long viewed as guaranteeing Mideast energy security, regional leaders have grown increasingly wary of Washington’s intentions after its chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond…