Saudi Defense Minister's visit to Tehran step in redefining regional order

TABNAK, Apr. 18 –Amid the rapid developments in the Middle East, the visit of Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to Tehran should be seen as more than a typical diplomatic event.

News ID: 6297

Date: 18 April 2025 - 11:44

The visit, which took place on the eve of a new round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, carries multi-layered messages on the security, geopolitical, and political economy levels; messages that are a sign of the region’s gradual movement towards a new security-economic architecture.

The resumption of diplomatic relations between Tehran and Riyadh in 2023, brokered by China, marked the beginning of a new chapter in the relations between the two regional powers. But the Saudi defense minister’s visit to Tehran is seen as the first serious step towards moving beyond the level of symbolic talks towards the establishment of frameworks for security cooperation. The presence of a high-ranking Saudi military official in the Iranian capital, at such a juncture, carries the message that Riyadh is seeking a more direct understanding of Iran’s strategies in the defense and regional spheres; Especially in relation to developments in Yemen, maritime security and the nuclear file. There is no doubt that regional security and security stability are the necessary basis for economic interaction.

Reducing tensions between Tehran and Riyadh could pave the way for Saudi Arabia to enter into joint economic projects with Iran, from investment in free zones to cooperation in the energy sector and regional transit. This is doubly important, especially given the economic pressures on both countries. Saudi Arabia is trying to implement Vision 2030 and diversify its oil-based economy; on the other hand, Iran is also facing the challenge of sanctions and the need to attract foreign investment, and the intersection of these needs can be the basis for long-term economic cooperation.

Meanwhile, the position of oil and energy order. Cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the oil sector, although currently limited, has high strategic potential. In the event of a possible breakthrough in the Iranian nuclear issue, it is expected that the two countries will reach a broader interaction to coordinate oil policies and manage the global energy market. Such interaction will not only benefit producers but also benefit the long-term stability of the global energy market.

On the other hand, countries such as Syria, Iraq, and Yemen require huge investments in their reconstruction. Cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia could provide a basis for dividing roles in this process and reducing costly proxy competition in these countries. Convergence in the security field could open the door to defining joint economic projects in war-torn regions.

Ultimately, the Saudi defense minister’s visit can be seen as a crystallization of a dual effort: both to redefine national interests within the framework of engagement and dialogue, and to reposition the regional position in an environment that no longer relies solely on accountable global powers. If this trend continues, the Middle East could move from a tense region to building a local, realistic, and economically oriented order; an order in which dialogue replaces confrontation and common interests replace traditional alignments.

By Mohammad Hossein Mohammadi