Both parties expressed optimism that negotiations would help to calm bilateral and regional tensions, but they downplayed the likelihood of a big breakthrough.

An site close to Iran’s security forces stated that Iran and Saudi Arabia had a fifth round of direct discussions in Baghdad.

According to Nournews, which is linked with the SNSC, senior members of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and Saudi Arabia’s intelligence leader, Khalid bin Ali Al Humaidan, attended the meetings.

The primary hurdles to re-establishing links between the two nations were discussed in a “friendly” tone, according to the source, which “painted a better vision” for bilateral relations in the future.

The negotiations might also open the door for a meeting between the two foreign ministers, according to the report.

In 2016, Tehran and Riyadh severed diplomatic ties.

Both parties have expressed hope that the discussions will help to calm bilateral and regional tensions, but they have downplayed hopes for a big breakthrough.

In addition to Iraq, which has hosted all rounds of direct negotiations between Iran and Saudi Arabia since April 2021, Oman was said to have helped organise the most recent round.

The reopening of Iran’s representative office at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah appears to be the sole actionable consequence of the direct discussions so far (OIC).

The report comes after Iran “temporarily stopped” discussions with Saudi Arabia last month without providing any explanation.

The execution of 81 individuals in a single day in Saudi Arabia, many of whom were minority Shia Muslims in the Sunni-majority country, looked to be the cause.
After hundreds of protesters attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran in retaliation to the murder of a prominent Shia religious leader six years ago, the two regional giants severed diplomatic ties. They also oppose each other in Yemen’s seven-year-long civil war, in which Iran backs the Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia leads a coalition fighting on behalf of the internationally recognised Yemeni government.

In Yemen, a two-month cease-fire negotiated by the UN is currently in place.

The construction of a new eight-member presidential council, which was inaugurated earlier this week, has received Saudi Arabia’s support.

Meanwhile, Iran has called for an end to the conflict and is organising discussions with Yemeni players without the involvement of international powers.