In a surprising turn of events, Saudi Arabia’s top military official, Major General Ahmed Al-Dabais, personally bid a heartfelt farewell to Iranian evacuees on Saturday as they were flown out of the kingdom. As the Western Region Commander boarded their plane, he emphasized the brotherly bond between Iran and Saudi Arabia, declaring, “If you need anything in Saudi, you’re most welcome… Iran and Saudi, they are brothers.”
The Saudi military swooped in to save 65 Iranians from Sudan, welcoming them in Jeddah with flowers and open arms. Images of this previously uncommon display of goodwill were broadcast on both Iranian and Saudi state television, leaving viewers in awe. Al-Dabais revealed that the friendly welcome had the blessing of the highest levels of Saudi leadership, including the king and the crown prince.
Just months ago, such a scene would have been unthinkable, as Iran and Saudi Arabia were bitter enemies, locked in multiple proxy conflicts across the Middle East. But in an astonishing twist, with the help of Chinese mediation, the two countries buried the hatchet in March after nearly seven years of hostility. They now plan to reopen embassies and forge a new era of cooperation.
Saudi Arabia is on a mission to revamp its global image and mend fences with former foes, and it seems to be working. According to Saudi analyst and writer Ali Shihabi, this incredible gesture of goodwill toward the Iranians is expected to be reciprocated, paving the way for a more peaceful relationship.
The kingdom’s new foreign policy is turning heads, as it focuses on Saudi interests and emphasizes diplomacy and mediation. Anna Jacobs, senior Gulf analyst at the Brussels-based International Crisis Group think tank, claims that this shift demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s increasing desire to assert itself on the international stage.
As part of their dramatic change in policy, Saudi Arabia has extended its diplomatic efforts to Sudan, where rival generals are battling for control. The Saudi military has evacuated thousands of people from Port Sudan to Jeddah, rescuing over 5,000 individuals from more than 100 nationalities in the process.
Fahad Nazer, spokesman for the Saudi embassy in the US, insists that Saudi Arabia is leading efforts to alleviate the crisis in Sudan, in collaboration with the United States and regional and international partners.
Besides Sudan, Saudi Arabia is rebuilding relationships with Yemen’s Houthis, Turkey, and Syria’s regime. It has even been working to bring Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad back into the Arab community after cutting ties over a decade ago.
Despite its controversial past, Saudi Arabia now appears to be a force for peace in the region, using its influence to bring disputing parties to the negotiating table. The oil-rich nation has leveraged its wealth to bridge the gap with former adversaries, particularly after a brief surge in oil prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year.
In this new era of diplomacy, Saudi Arabia is striving to reduce tensions and contribute to regional stability, which will ultimately benefit its own economic growth and international standing.
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