Pakistani Regime & Saudi denial

In stark contrast to the many positive reports following the diplomatic mission led by Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif to Saudi Arabia (SA) and Iran in an attempt to dissipate growing tensions between the two countries, the Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir has, in a recent statement, denied that Pakistan has mediated between SA and Iran. The increasing discord that originated with the kingdom’s execution of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr, leading to protesters ransacking the Saudi embassy in Tehran and eventually the severing of diplomatic ties, was predicted by many as potentially devastating for the region, and prompted many to offer mediation. Pakistan, despite its long-standing closeness with SA, maintained a neutral stance and led the mission to Riyadh and Tehran, attempting to create some form of channel of communication that could aid reconciliation. On his return the PM presented a positive outlook, claiming that both countries had demonstrated sentiments in support of peaceful reconciliation. The Saudi foreign minister however has said that no such mediation can take place “unless Iran responds positively”. He went on to claim that Iran has pursued a hostile attitude towards Arab countries, meddling in their internal affairs, and promoting terrorism and sectarian divisions, and it should change its policies and fulfil the demands that it knows SA requires from it.

This statement prompts one to question why the Saudi minister felt the need to restate the issue in a way that has coloured SA’s approach as entirely disobliging and obstructive. While it appears to be a reflection of Riyadh’s hardline position against Iran, it seems that the damaging effects of SA’s diplomatic policy driven purely by blind animosity

are seeping into its relations with other countries too. SA’s complete disregarding of the mediation efforts by Pakistan are not likely to be taken well in Islamabad and may be construed as an insult, possibly harming the long-standing positive relations between the two countries. Not only is SA’s attempt to clear itself of all blame by putting the entire onus for any possible resolution on Iran’s response transparent, it is also risible since Iran has already been responding in a positive manner to efforts for reconciliation. Moreover, the many misdeeds the minister is accusing Iran of, seems to be a case of the pot calling the kettle black, since these are precisely the violations it is itself guilty of, being embroiled in sectarian proxy wars throughout the region, especially in Yemen and Syria. SA needs to question the wisdom of the statements originating from its foreign ministry, since not only is it alienating friendly states, it is also further entangling itself into a regional conflict that could possibly result in a greater clash, at which point it may go beyond the control of foreign ministries.