As China takes a victory lap over brokering a deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia, some raise concerns Washington’s influence on the global stage could be waning
Ali Shamkhani, a close adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni, right, shakes hands Friday with Wang Yi of the Chinese Communist Party during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s National Security adviser and Minister of State Musaad bin Mohammed al-Aiban in Beijing.
By Phil McCausland
As some world leaders hailed the restoration of ties between long-standing enemies Iran and Saudi Arabia, there were growing fears in Washington that the deal could help spell the end of the United States’ pre-eminence in the region and beyond.
China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, called it a “victory for dialogue” and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres celebrated the announcement, expressing his appreciation to China for brokering the deal. The U.S., meanwhile, said through a National Security Council spokesperson that China’s successful agreement appeared to mirror the failed negotiations the White House pursued with both countries in 2021.
Aaron David Miller, who served as a Middle East policy adviser at the State Department for 25 years, said it was “really stunning” that the Saudis had cut a deal with the Chinese and the Iranians.
