Al -Jazeera Net Correspondents
Tehran- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqji begins on Saturday – a tour that includes Riyadh and Doha, one day before the fourth round of indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Muscat.
According to Araqji, the visit aims to exchange views with neighboring countries, and to inform them of the latest developments in the negotiations that the region awaits.
These moves coincide with US President Donald Trump’s readiness to take a tour that includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE between May 13 and 16, which adds a new international dimension of regional efforts to calm tensions.
The fourth round of negotiations takes place on a dispute over the geographical designation of the Gulf, as Trump announced his intention to take a decision on the official designation that the United States will adopt, after media reports that reported its intention to launch the name “Arab Gulf” or “Gulf of the Arabs” on the water surface that Iran insists on calling the “Persian Gulf”, which sparked reactions in Tehran.
Experts believe that this issue reflects renewable tensions, and highlights the need for more dialogue and joint understanding.
Regional rapprochement
Regional affairs expert Muhammad Bayat says that the visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister to Qatar and Saudi Arabia comes at a sensitive time, and before the fourth round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States, and aims to exchange opinions with the two Arab countries and inform them of the latest developments in the negotiations, especially in light of what he described as the rapprochement between Iran and Gulf states regarding the necessity of reducing tensions in the region.
Bayat said – in an interview with Al -Jazeera Net – that this development reflects major geopolitical transformations in the region, especially after the “October 7th”, as it became clear that the Gulf Cooperation Council countries have become more acceptable to the idea of agreement between Tehran and Washington, as he put it.
He added that the Gulf states are aware of the necessity of curbing the Israeli escalation on the 1967 borders (the West Bank and Gaza Strip), and reducing tensions in the region, which contributes to strengthening relations between Iran and the southern Gulf countries.
Regarding the American position, Payat believes that the current US administration under Trump’s leadership is more flexible in dealing with Iran, compared to its previous positions. It is noteworthy that there are indications of the possibility of declaring a new nuclear agreement with Tehran, in addition to the possibility of the emergence of a new American plan on the war in Gaza, which indicates a change in the dialect of American policy in the region.
Regional calm
For its part, the expert on Gulf state affairs, Hoda Yousfi, saw that the visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister to Riyadh and Doha comes in a very sensitive timing, and reflects Tehran’s efforts to restore regional positions in light of accelerated geopolitical variables.
Yousfi explained – in her interview with Al -Jazeera Net – that the visit bears multiple messages, most notably Iran’s endeavor to reduce the confidence gap with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and to confirm its desire to resolve regional issues through dialogue, and not through confrontation or escalation.
Iran is counting – according to the expert – on the role of Qatar as a reliable mediator, especially in light of Doha’s balanced relationship with both Tehran and Washington, adding that Qatar has a strategic location that allows it to play a positive role, whether in reducing the escalation or preparing for regional understandings, which makes Araqji’s visit to Doha “more than just a protocol visit.”
It also considered that Saudi Arabia, “despite its traditional reservation”, has become more open to the idea of regional understanding, especially in light of its endeavor to implement its development projects within the Vision 2030, which requires long -term stability in its regional environment.
The expert pointed out that the visit also falls within Iran’s attempt to give a regional dimension to its negotiations with the United States on sanctions, considering that any agreement opens the way for Iran’s return to global markets, especially in the oil sector, which will have direct repercussions on the Gulf economies, which prompts Tehran to reassure its neighbors and reduce possible concerns.
Besides, Yusufi says that Iran has become aware that success in its nuclear file is not complete without a regional cover, “so it is sent through this visit to calm signals that may contribute to alleviating the level of chronic tension in the region.”
While the region is awaiting the results of the fourth round of negotiations between Iran and the United States in Muscat tomorrow, Sunday, questions remain open about the ability of recent diplomatic moves to reduce regional tensions and achieve a sustainable settlement.
(Tagstotranslate) Policy (T) Asia (T) Iran