ALBAWABA- Saudi Arabia and Iran have reaffirmed their commitment to the provisions of the Beijing Agreement, pledging continued efforts to strengthen good-neighborly relations.
This was announced following the second meeting of the China-Saudi Arabia-Iran Trilateral Joint Committee, held on Tuesday in Riyadh, as reported by Global Times.
The meeting underscores China's growing role as a mediator in the Middle East, fostering dialogue between the two regional powers amid escalating tensions and shifting global dynamics.
The session, chaired by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, included Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Deng Li.
All parties reiterated their dedication to international principles, including respect for sovereignty, independence, and security, and emphasized China's key role in supporting and facilitating the ongoing rapprochement.
China's involvement has been pivotal since the landmark Saudi-Iran agreement in March 2023. Analysts highlight Beijing’s strategy of fostering cooperation to avoid conflicts in a region historically marked by geopolitical instability, contrasting it with the more interventionist approach of the United States.
The meeting also addressed urgent regional concerns, particularly the escalating violence in Palestine, Lebanon, and Yemen. China, Saudi Arabia, and Iran collectively condemned Israel's military operations in Palestine and Lebanon, denouncing violations of sovereignty and calling for the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid.
The group stressed that the continued cycle of violence poses a severe threat to regional and global security, including maritime stability.
The backdrop to these discussions is a surge in conflict involving Iran, Israel, and Hezbollah. Iran and Israel have traded missile strikes, with Israel intensifying air attacks on Lebanon and launching ground operations in early October.
The three nations called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and reiterated support for a political resolution to the Yemeni crisis under UN auspices.
Experts, such as Liu Zhongmin of Shanghai International Studies University, argue that China's proactive diplomacy is offering a pathway to peace in a region where Western powers, particularly the US, are often seen as exacerbating tensions.
The trilateral cooperation, observers say, could play a significant role in easing conflicts and promoting stability across the Middle East.
