The Saudi-Iran deal and its impacts on the region – TBP Editorial

Must Read

Genocide is the only option in Balochistan – Pakistani Minister declares

A Pakistani minister in Balochistan, who is de-jure head of security apparatus in the region, has declared that genocide...

Aslam Baloch — The Baloch General – TBP Special report

For seventy years, through ups and downs, successes and failures, with rapid and slow pace, the Balochistan’s...

State’s deadly weapon, Shafiq Mengal – The Balochistan Post report

Strings of suicide bombing in Sindh's Shikarpur city and firing incident on BSO azad's rally in Khuzdar got connected...

Last week, following China’s reconciliation efforts, Saudi Arabia and Iran, two influential rivals in the Middle East, announced the restoration of diplomatic ties that had been severed for many years, and the opening of closed embassies in the next two months. Before China’s intervention, there were several rounds of talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran, hosted by Oman and Iraq. The restoration of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran will have direct and indirect effects on our region.

Prior to the restoration of relations, the Middle East has been tense for decades, with Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia and Shia-majority Iran competing for supremacy in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, and both countries supporting various rival factions. Iran’s proxy organizations have increased difficulties for Saudi Arabia in these countries. After the Houthi rebels attacked Aramco’s oil facilities, Saudi Arabia’s slightly adverse relations with the United States, and Iran’s increased influence in the region, Arabs have been forced to change their policy and sign an agreement to restore relations with Iran.

In our region, including Balochistan, Saudi Arabia and Iran have been creating problems for each other through their proxy organizations. Saudi Arabia is funding Sunni extremist organizations and madrassas, which are targeting the Shia population, especially the Hazara community in Balochistan. Iran accuses Sunni Baloch organizations fighting against them of being Saudi-backed, and Saudi Arabia providing them financial support.

Iran is supporting some elements and organizations of the Shia population in different areas of Balochistan and Pakistan, and a large number of Shia population have gone to Syria, Iraq, and Yemen to fight under the auspices of Iran. They are organizing Shia populations in Pakistan into the Zainabi Brigade and Fatemiyoun Brigade in Afghanistan, who work for Iran’s interests in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and participate in Iran’s proxy war in other countries around the world.

It is too early to say whether Iran and Saudi Arabia will stop supporting proxy organizations in the Middle East and our region, or if conflicts and tensions will continue in the Middle East. However, after the restoration of relations between Israel and Arab countries following the Abraham Accords, there was a new alignment against Iran. In these circumstances, the agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia will be considered a major success for Iran. The agreement through China is a success of China’s foreign and economic diplomacy in the Middle East, which will increase its role in the region and have direct or indirect effects on Balochistan.

Latest News

Heavy Rainfall Claims Five Lives in Balochistan

Five fatalities were reported on Friday in Balochistan’s Dukki district due to recent torrential rains.

Bodies of Two Forcibly Disappeared Baloch Youths Recovered in Karachi

Two young individuals forcibly disappeared in August last year were found dead in Pakistan's Karachi city on Wednesday. According...

Families Protest in Turbat Over Authorities’ Refusal to Release Bodies of BLA Attackers

In Balochistan's Turbat, Pakistani authorities are reportedly refusing to hand over the bodies of Baloch 'fidayeen' who executed a self-sacrificial attack on...

U.S. Warns of Sanctions Over Pakistan-Iran Gas Pipeline Project

In a recent statement, the United States has raised concerns regarding the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project, signaling potential repercussions should Pakistan engage...

Nushki: Attack on Intelligence Agency’s Office

Two back-to-back explosions followed by multiple gun fire rocks the Nushki city of Balochistan on Tuesday. According to reports,...