Saudi Army Chief Meets Iranian Counterpart in Tehran

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Nov 11, 2024

Above: Saudi chief of the staff, Major General Fayyad bin Hamad bin Ragad al-Ruwaili, attends a meeting of the 15th session for the chiefs of staff of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)states in Kuwait City on September 10, 2018. Image copyright: Yasser Al-Zayyat/Contributor/AFP via Getty Imagesstory last updated Nov 11

The Facts

The general chief of staff of Saudi Arabia's armed forces, Fayyad al-Ruwaili, met with his Iranian counterpart, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, in Tehran on Sunday. The two reportedly explored possibilities for developing military and defense ties between their nations.
The Saudi Defense Ministry said Al-Ruwaili — who's heading a high-level military team to Iran — discussed security and stability in the Middle East with Bagheri. Meanwhile, Iranian Pres. Masoud Pezeshkian and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call to discuss bilateral relations.

The Spin

Narrative A

This meeting marks a significant milestone in the deepening relationship between Tehran and Riyadh. Both nations are demonstrating a firm commitment to stability in the region. Their diplomatic accord has already proven unexpectedly resilient, offering new hope for peace in a region marked by decades of tension. The two pivotal powers can collaborate more fully for the security and prosperity of the Middle East.

The Century Foundation

Narrative B

Despite recent talks, both nations face deep-seated distrust, compounded by differing regional agendas and alliances. Riyadh can't overlook Iran's support for powerful regional proxies, while Tehran remains wary of Saudi ties to the US and potential normalization with Israel. Each side's vision for security sharply contrasts, with Iran aiming to reduce foreign influence in the region and Saudi Arabia leaning on it.

Crisisgroup