Bilateral talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran will not end their rivalry but could de-escalate conflict in areas where both have influence, including Yemen. News of rare talks between two of the Middle East’s biggest adversaries comes as both Riyadh and Tehran are trying to assess where they stand with U.S. President Joe Biden’s new administration. The Iraqi government’s eagerness to position Baghdad as an independent regional power instead of a weak site of proxy struggles is likely also contributing to the media attention surrounding the talks. The Financial Times reported on April 17 that senior Saudi and Iranian officials held direct talks in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on April 9. Iraqi officials have since confirmed the talks and said the two sides are slated to hold another round of negotiations in the coming weeks.