For the first time after years of conflict, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Iran spoke on the phone again on Thursday. At the beginning of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, Hussein Amirabdollahian and Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud exchanged greetings, the state media of both countries reported. During the conversation, they reportedly also discussed a planned ministerial meeting. The fact that the two countries are re-establishing bilateral relations after seven years of diplomatic standstill is a negotiating success for Beijing, one that is changing the balance of power in the Middle East.