Saudi foreign minister 'hopeful' after exploratory talks with Iran

PARIS • Saudi Arabia is "hopeful" after exploratory talks with its nemesis Iran, its foreign minister has told AFP, in a rare comment on delicate discussions whose details have been closely guarded.

The official-level meetings aim to restore relations severed five years ago between the Sunni Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Shi'ite Islamic Republic of Iran.

"We have initiated some exploratory talks. They are at a very early stage but we are hopeful," Prince Faisal Farhan said in Paris on Tuesday, where he is participating in two international summits.

The talks with Iran, facilitated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, had remained secret until the Financial Times reported that a first meeting had been held in Baghdad on April 9.

The Iranian government confirmed on May 10 that the talks had been held, adding that it was "too soon" to discuss the results.

"If (the Iranians) can see that their interest is in a good relationship with their neighbours, I can be hopeful," Prince Faisal said, emphasising again that the talks were "at an early stage".

Asked what the impact of the June presidential elections in Iran might be, he said he thought it would be minimal.

"Our understanding of Iran's foreign policy is that it's set by the Supreme Leader," he explained. "So we don't think there will be a substantial change."

"There may be a change in the representatives that portray that policy, but in the end, it's what happens on the ground that matters, and that is driven by the Supreme Leader," he added.

The countries cut ties in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the kingdom's execution of a revered Shi'ite cleric.

The regional rivals have backed opposite sides in several regional conflicts from Syria to Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting Houthi rebels. But in April, Saudi Arabia's crown prince struck a conciliatory tone, saying that he sought "good" relations.

The tentative initiative comes at a time of shifting power dynamics.

United States President Joe Biden is seeking to revive the tattered 2015 Iran nuclear deal that was abandoned by his predecessor Donald Trump.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE