The Financial Times announced on Sunday that Saudi and Iranian authorities met in Baghdad this month for serious negotiations to ease their bitter feud. A representative involved in the negotiations told the UK newspaper that Iraq initiated the talks, which were intensified by Iranian nuclear negotiations with the US and attacks in Yemen by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

The first round of talks, began on April 9 in Iraq's capital, were promising, according to the representative. On Sunday, both Lebanon's pro-Iran Al Mayadeen television channel and the Unews news agency quoted an Iranian source that rejected the discussions with Saudi Arabia. According to the Financial Times, a senior Saudi representative refused any discussions with Iran.

The Saudi embassy in Tehran was attacked by mobs furious over the assassination of influential Saudi Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, and the two countries broke diplomatic relations five years ago. Iran and Saudi Arabia have both been on opposite teams in Yemen's civil conflict, with Iran supporting Houthi rebels and a Saudi-led alliance backing Yemeni government forces.

Kadhimi acted as a 'bridge'

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-personal Kadhimi's presence, according to authorities involved in the negotiations has been essential to the discussions because he has been able to serve as a "link" between the adversaries. According to the Financial Times, Kadhimi visited Riyadh last month to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Baghdad has also mediated talks between Iran and Egypt and Jordan, according to the newspaper.

Bin Salman was a vocal supporter of former US President Donald Trump's high-pressure operation against Iran, which included the toughening of sanctions. Saudi Arabia's susceptibility to assault was revealed in September 2019 when a missile and drone strike took out half of the kingdom's crude oil production.

The Houthis confirmed the incident, but officials in the United States and Saudi Arabia accused Iran. The Saudi crown prince's strategy seems to have changed to support Trump's successor, Joe Biden's, softer approach. According to the document, intelligence chief Khalid bin Ali al-Humaidan led the Saudi group to Baghdad for discussions.