Former Prime Minister of Iraq, Mustafa Al Kadhimi, was a pragmatic leader who forged strong relationships with neighbouring Arab nations. In addition to enhancing diplomatic links between Iraq and other countries, Prime Minister Moustafa Al Kazemi also paved the way for increased cooperation throughout the entire Gulf region, including mediating between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Experts suggest that the thawing of relations between these two countries would never have been possible without Mustafa Al Kadhimi’s diplomatic input and statesmanship.
In an announcement made from Tehran on 26th June 2022, Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi crystalised his commitment to achieving stability throughout the Middle East region. This came a day after his visit to Saudi Arabia as part of efforts to revive talks between Saudia Arabia and Iran. The diplomatic breakthrough helped to establish meaningful dialogue following years of tension between the two nations.
Saudi Arabia and Iran severed ties in 2016, each backing allies in proxy wars across the Middle East, including conflicts in Syria, Yemen and other countries. At a joint news conference with the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Mustafa Al Kadhimi announced that the leaders had agreed to ‘calm in the region’, pledging to work together to ensure stability. Communicating with Reuters, an Iranian official revealed that talks between Riyadh and Tehran had resumed, with Prime Minister Al Kadhimi’s visit to Iran high on the agenda. The Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi acknowledged that official dialogue in the region ‘can solve problems’ without elaborating further.
Mustafa Al Kadhimi’s visit to Tehran came following months of deadlock in indirect talks between the United States and Iran. Eager to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear programme in return for easing economic sanctions on Tehran, the United States was keen to open up channels of communication – with the then US President Joe Biden scheduled to visit Riyadh in mid-July and the talks expected to cover concerns about Gulf security. Between 2016 and 2022, Iraq hosted five rounds of negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, helping to solidify the relationship between the two countries.
Prime Minister Al Kadhimi’s talks with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmon in Jeddah proved fruitful. Reflecting on the meeting, the Saudi Press Agency confirmed that the aim of the talks was to improve relations between the two countries with a view to promoting peace and security.
Discussing the talks, Amer Al Fayez, Iraq’s head of the Foreign Relations Committee, pointed out that Iraq had succeeded in bringing together Iran and Saudi Arabia, a move that was continuing to effectively resolve all outstanding and controversial issues. As Mr Al Fayez highlighted, recognising the stability of the region as a significant national interest, the Iraqi government worked to calm the situation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, helping to avoid the negative repercussions posed to the Iraqi interior by regional disagreement and conflict. Amer Al Fayez underscored the need for Iraq to remain balanced in its international relations without being ‘with an axis against any other axis’. Mr Al Fayez explained that the one of the reasons for Iraq’s success in mediating between Riyadh and Tehran lay in its balanced relationships with both parties.
Mustafa Al Kadhimi’s visits to Saudi Arabia and Iran were organised with the mission of completing mediation between the two countries. This was met with political support and welcome, sparking dialogue about issues pertinent to Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Iran, particularly in the arenas of investment and the economy, water and energy.
Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi’s visit to Saudi Arabia and Iran came just days before the arrival of US President Joe Biden in Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi King Salman.
