TEHRAN: Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations and reopen embassies after seven years, Iranian news agency reported on Friday.
The agreement was reached after talks in Beijing between top security officials from the two rival Middle East powers. “As a result of the talks, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies … within two months,” Iranian news agency IRNA reported.Iranian and Saudi media said a statement by the two countries emphasised respect for sovereignty and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
Saudi Arabia’s state news agency said they also agreed to activate a security cooperation agreement signed in 2001, as well as another earlier accord on trade, economy, and investment.
Iran’s top security official, Ali Shamkhani, who signed the agreement with Saudi Arabia’s national security adviser, Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, praised China for its role in the rapprochement, Iran’s Nour News reported. Both Saudi Arabia and Iran thanked Iraq and Oman for hosting talks in 2021 and 2022.
Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran was stormed during a dispute between the two countries over Riyadh’s execution of a Shia cleric. A senior Iranian security official said Friday’s agreement had been endorsed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.— Agencies
