China's Mediation Leads to Diplomatic Breakthrough Between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

China brokered a deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran to restore full diplomatic relations after seven years of severed ties. The Joint Trilateral Statement lays out a timetable for restoring full diplomatic ties, including an exchange of ambassadors, and enjoins each of the two sides to respect the principles of sovereignty and non-interference in the other’s internal affairs. The deal could help ease tensions in the Middle East and give China more influence in the region, but it remains to be seen how it will affect the region and whether China has the necessary motivation and capability to make it stick.