Saudi ally Comoros breaks off relations with Iran

Sharif’s trip to Saudi Arabia follows the visit of both the Saudi foreign minister and deputy crown prince to Islamabad last week, underlining the closeness of the relationship between the two states. While the latter remains on solid ground, the two countries have responded to the tumult that has gripped the region by adopting vastly different “doctrines”.

Instead, those who have the most to lose are the oil-rich states of the Persian Gulf, especially Saudi Arabia.

On January 2, Saudi Arabia executed Sheikh Nimr, among dozens of others.

“I think if you look at the challenges our region faces, whether in Syria, whether in Yemen, whether terrorists, whether in Iran’s interference in the affairs of the region, or Libya, the most effective ways for us to work though these challenges is through our close partnership and alliance with the United States of America”, said Al-Jubeir.

After that Saudi Arabia cancelled its diplomatic ties with Iran and called back its diplomatic staff from Iran and asked the Iranian ambassador to leave Saudi Arabia.

Ahead of Xi’s visit, China issued a policy paper on Arab countries expressing its willing to coordinate development strategies with Arab states and put into play each other’s advantages and potentials. Both Saudi Arabia and Iran are fighting ISIS but they are taking vastly different approaches even in that regard.

The war of words between Iran and Saudi Arabia was ratcheted up in the aftermath of the Hajj stampede a few months ago that led to the deaths of over seven hundred people.

Indian Ocean archipelago and Saudi Arabia ally the Comoros said Friday it had cut diplomatic relations with Iran over what it termed Tehran’s “aggression” towards Riyadh.

If the Obama administration wants to deepen its rapprochement with Iran after having reached an agreement with it over its nuclear energy program, it could further alienate the Saudis.

It will be Mr Xi’s first visit to the region after becoming President. Dore Gold, the director general of Israel’s foreign ministry, met publicly with retired Saudi general Anwar Eshki in June to discuss their shared concerns about Iran’s activities across the region.

He is also scheduled to pay a visit to Saudi Arabia purportedly to attend a cultural festival.