Saudi-Iranian Cooperation Seen in Sudanese Evacuation Efforts

As Saudi Arabia assisted in evacuating Iranian citizens fleeing the war in Sudan on Monday, the growing rapprochement between Riyadh and Tehran after years of mistrust was evident.

The 65 Iranian nationals were transported from Port Sudan to Jeddah by the Saudi navy, and they will next take a flight to Tehran.

The transfer, which was made possible by Saudi Arabia and Iran working together, was hailed as “a positive event” by Nasser Kanaani, a spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry.

A senior Saudi military officer in charge of the operation, Ahmed al-Dabais, told Iranian refugees in a video aired on local media that the two nations were close friends and brothers and that they should think of the kingdom as their own.

The Red Sea separates Saudi Arabia from Sudan, and Saudi Arabia has served as a significant center for the evacuation operation as nations have attempted to remove thousands of foreign nationals from the war that erupted on April 15.

Iran, a revolutionary Shi’ite Muslim nation, and Saudi Arabia, a traditional Sunni nation, have been at odds for years. They have supported opposing sides in conflicts and political contests throughout the Middle East in a fight for sway that has fueled tensions and stoked sectarian animosity.

Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Iran in 2016 when Iranian protesters stormed the embassy there after Riyadh executed a Shi’ite Muslim preacher.

However, in a deal mediated by China in March, the two major oil producers consented to end their dispute and reopen diplomatic missions.