Iran needs to further improve foreign relations

As the two major countries in West Asia, the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran can largely affect the development of this region. Therefore, just as Saudi Arabia’s announcement of cutting off diplomatic relations with Iran in early 2016 attracted worldwide attention, the news that the two countries will resume diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies within two months immediately became the focus of the world.

On March 10, China, Saudi Arabia and Iran jointly issued a joint statement in Beijing announcing that Riyadh and Tehran had reached an agreement to resume bilateral relations within two months.

Considering the significant influence of Iran and Saudi Arabia in West Asia, if the normalization of relations between the two countries proceeds smoothly, the security situation in the entire West Asia region will be significantly improved.

Peace in the Middle East will also take a big step forward. Of course, the biggest beneficiaries of the normalization of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia are the peoples of the two countries.

After years of hostility and confrontation, Tehran and Riyadh know best how much they have suffered as a result. Although this document signed with the help of China cannot resolve all the contradictions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, after all, the door to normal exchanges between the two countries has been opened.

As a result, the two countries can devote more resources to national development and people's livelihood.

Specific to Iran, the country urgently needs to improve its foreign relations. Iran is rich in natural resources such as oil, natural gas, and minerals, as well as a very creative people.

But unsatisfactory foreign relations have seriously affected Iran's national foreign exchange earnings, and the nation-building and job opportunities that come with it.

External relations are not the only factor affecting the development of a country, and may not be the core factor, but good foreign relations are definitely beneficial to the country and the people.

Frankly speaking, I am very concerned about Iran's currency, the rial. The poor performance of the rial in recent years is a strong proof of Iran's urgency to improve its foreign relations.

The rial showed a strong appreciation on March 11, which can illustrate the importance of improving foreign relations for Iran. However, the continuous appreciation of the rial requires continuous good news, so Iran must continue to move forward on the road of improving foreign relations.

China has played a key mediating role in the easing of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. As a Chinese scholar, I am proud of this.

Of course, without the previous efforts of Iraq and Oman, it would have been impossible for Saudi Arabia and Iran to reach an agreement to restore diplomatic relations on March 10.

It is hoped that Riyadh and Tehran will not fail the efforts of these friendly countries to normalize relations as soon as possible.

The international order is in a period of adjustment, and multi-polarization has become the yearning of most countries, and more and more countries. In this regard, China shares the same pursuit as Iran and Saudi Arabia.

I noticed that Professor Stephen Walt of Harvard Kennedy School, a famous American scholar, recently published an article entitled “America Is Too Scared of the Multipolar World.”

In his opinion, the Biden administration is striving for a unipolar order that no longer exists. He also thinks multipolarity might not be that bad for the United States, provided it recognizes the implications and adjusts its foreign policy appropriately.

I have always believed that the Middle East or West Asia will be an important force in the future world.

At present, more and more regions and countries are focusing their attention on national construction and improvement of people's living standards. The countries in the Middle East that have been in constant conflicts for a long time obviously need to have clearer development goals that are oriented to the interests of the people.

Against this backdrop, the normalization of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia makes more sense.

* Professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, China