Saudi-Iran 6th round of talks to continue at intel level: Iraqi FM

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
27 Sep 2022 19:23
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In efforts to rekindle their diplomatic ties, the sixth round of talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran is expected to continue through the work of both countries' intelligence officers and servicemen.

Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have had their ups and downs.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced on Tuesday that the next and sixth round of talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran will be carried out via intelligence services.

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Hussein told a reporter, "but one thing I know - the process of negotiation will continue and perhaps the next round, once again, it will continue on the level of the intelligence service people. Then, we hope that after the next round, it will be different."

Over the past months, Iraq hosted rounds of talks between Tehran and Riyadh, with the aim of softening up the tensions between the two countries.

The two countries, which had their diplomatic ties cut in 2016, held their last round of talks in April of this year at the security level.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh said about the meeting that it was "comprehensive, good and serious," but it has not yet reached the stage of real political dialogue, suggesting the possibility of rapid progress if that is reached.

In July, Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said the next meeting between Saudi Arabia and Iran will be held in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and will be a public one.

It was expected that each country's Prime Minister meet in Baghdad for the sixth round.

But it is clear following today's statements that the meetings will be carried out in private via intelligence officers.

On 22 July, Amir-Abdollahian noted that the Iranian side informed Riyadh that Tehran is ready to continue the dialogue at the political level to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Moreover, the Iranian Foreign Minister had previously pointed out that Tehran supports the reopening of embassies between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi had previously confirmed that the Iranian-Saudi talks, which took place in Baghdad, "reached advanced stages," noting that "Iraq played an important role in converging views between regional countries, by hosting the dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran."