Saudi Arabia and Iraq discuss supporting stability in the region and relations between Tehran and Riyadh

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi held talks that reviewed ways to "support and enhance stability" in the region and the return of relations between Tehran and Riyadh within the framework of Iraqi mediation between them.

On Sunday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi held a session of talks that reviewed ways to "support and enhance stability" in the region, at the start of a short tour for Al-Kazemi that will also lead him to Iran, within the framework of mediation between Riyadh and Tehran.

Iraq hosted five rounds of negotiations between Iranian and Saudi officials in recent months with the aim of normalizing the two countries' relations cut off since 2016.

And the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) stated that Prince Muhammad and Al-Kazemi held "a session of official talks, during which they reviewed the bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and areas of joint cooperation."

She noted that the two leaders exchanged "views on a number of issues, which contribute to supporting and strengthening security and stability in the region."

And Saturday, an Iraqi government source reported that Al-Kazemi will visit Saudi Arabia and Iran as part of a mediation to resume relations between the two competing regional powers.

The Iraqi official explained that during the two official visits, "very important issues related to Iraqi mediation aimed at reviving diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran will be discussed."

At the conclusion of the fifth round of negotiations in April, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said he was convinced that an "understanding was soon" between Riyadh and Tehran.

In 2016, Saudi Arabia and Iran severed relations after protesters in the Islamic Republic attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate following Riyadh's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

The two rival powers held negotiations that were first announced in April 2021.

In early March, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman defended the policy of "coexistence" with Iran, and his statement was welcomed by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, who saw in it a "readiness" from Riyadh to restore relations with his country.