White House Denies US Stepping Back From Middle East After Iran–Saudi Deal Brokered by China

After the announcement by Iran and Saudi Arabia that they have agreed to reestablish their relations in a deal that was brokered by China, the White House is resisting the notion that the United States is withdrawing from the Middle East.

“I would stridently push back on this idea that we’re stepping back in the Middle East—far from it,” John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council, told reporters March 10. “It really does remain to be seen whether the Iranians are going to honor their side of the deal. This is not a regime that typically honors its word.”

Tehran and Riyadh announced their agreement on March 10, following four days of previously unreported negotiations between top security officials from the two Middle Eastern rivals in Beijing. According to statements from China, Saudi Arabia and Iran, the two countries agreed to resume diplomatic relations, and reopen embassies in two months.

“The agreement includes their affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs,” The statement is as follows:

Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, described the agreement as “a wonderful opportunity.” “victory for dialogue,” According to a Chinese Foreign Ministry readout.

When asked about China’s role in brokering the agreement, Kirby said, “This is not about China.

“Any effort to reduce tensions in the region is supported by us.”

He dismissed concerns about China’s growing influence in the Middle East.

“Concerning Chinese influence [in the Middle East] It’s not as if we are blinders in Africa or Latin America.” Kirby said. “We will be watching China closely as they seek to expand their influence and position elsewhere in the world.”

In the recently announced agreement, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to reactivate a 2001 security cooperation agreement, as well as an earlier agreement on trade, economics, and investment.

Both countries expressed gratitude to China, Iraq, and Oman for holding previous talks in 2021 and 2022.

Iran has been in the headlines in recent weeks since it was discovered that the Middle East nation docked warships in Rio de Janeiro. The event, which took place between Feb. 26 and March 4, sparked concern among democratic nations in the region.

The presence of the warships, political and security analysts say, is because of a new wave of leftist politicians that has swept across Latin America in recent years, including Brazil’s new president.

According to experts, Iran appears to be delivering on its promise to moor warships in the Panama Canal by the end of 2023.

Brazil’s former minister of foreign affairs, Ernesto Araújo, previously told The Epoch Times, “This doesn’t make the big picture look good.”

Reuters contributed to this report.