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A top diplomat in the Biden administration has said that talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia geared toward easing tensions in the Middle East. It would be a welcome development, as Washington pursues its own diplomacy with Tehran in order to reinvigorate a multilateral nuclear agreement. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken would not confirm widespread reports of quiet talks held between regional rivals Tehran and Riyadh, but said, “if they’re talking, I think that’s generally a good thing. Talking is usually better than the alternative. Does it lead to results? That’s another question. But talking, trying to take down tensions, trying to see if there’s a modus vivendi, trying to get countries to take actions on things they’re doing that you don’t like, that’s good, that’s positive”.

He said that Washington still played a central role in international diplomatic efforts. Blinken said, “We have, I think, still, when we’re acting at our best, a greater ability than any other country to mobilize others in positive, collective action. But if countries are talking directly together without us in the middle, that’s maybe even better”. The remarks came a week after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said he aspired for his country to have a good and distinguished relationship with Iran, in spite of outstanding disagreements on a number of issues, including Iran’s pursuit of advanced missile technology and support for foreign militias. The remarks came as Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif emphasized a need for stronger ties between Iran and its Arab neighbors in the Persian Gulf.

The statements of the Saudi royal were warmly received by Iranian officials. On Tuesday, Tehran’s ambassador to Kuwait Mohammad Irani also admired the prospect of a rapprochement between the Shiite Islamic Republic and the largely Sunni Muslim kingdom. Irani said, “The series of developments that are taking place indicates positive signs in the reduction of regional tensions. Whether these statements are influenced by the internal developments in the United States and the change of power in that country or the progress of the nuclear talks or the developments in Yemen, they are considered positive in any case”. Point to be noted that Tehran and Riyadh have long feuded over influence across the Middle East and the broader Muslim world, and their relations have waxed and waned over the decades since the 1979 Islamic Revolution ousted a West-backed government in Iran.