Tehran, Iran – This is the fifth round of direct talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and this is going to happen in Baghdad, which as an outlet close to Iran’s security forces, has confirmed.

Senior administration of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief, Khalid bin Ali Al Humaidan, followed the talks, according to reports affiliated with the SNSC, which did not mention the date of the meeting.

Moreover, the ties between Tehran and Riyadh cut off diplomatic ties in six years back in 2016. 

However, both sides have so far expressed hope for the talks that could ease bilateral and regional tensions but have downplayed expectations of a major breakthrough. 

In addition to Iraq, which has hosted all rounds of direct talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia starting in April 2021, Oman was also reported to have organised the latest session.

The reopening of Iran’s representative office at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah appears to be the only actionable outcome of the direct discussions so far (OIC).

Last month, the news came as Iran temporarily suspended talks with Saudi Arabia without citing any reasons.

Saudi Arabia’s performance of 81 people in a single day, many of whom were juvenile Shia Muslims in the Sunni-majority kingdom, was the cause.

The break-in of diplomatic ties between the two regional powers happened six years back after crowds of people attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran in response to a prominent Shia religious leader’s implication. 

The two also stand on opposing sides in the deadly war of more than seven years in Yemen, where Iran supports the Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia leads a coalition fighting on behalf of the internationally recognised Yemeni government.

A United Nations-brokered two-month ceasefire is now in effect in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia has backed a new eight-member presidential council, which was inaugurated earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Iran has called for an end to the war and is holding talks between Yemeni stakeholders without foreign intervention.