Saudi Arabia And Iran: “Fruitful” Visit Of Iranian Minister To Tehran

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian paid an official visit to Riyadh. This is the first diplomatic trip since the recent restoration of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
The two countries (Iran is predominantly Shia Muslim, while Saudi Arabia is Sunni) broke off diplomatic relations in 2016. After seven years of tension, the two major powers of the Middle East recently resumed Chinese-mediated contacts, which led to an agreement in March 2023 to restore mutual diplomatic relations.
The rupture of relations occurred upon the execution of the famous Shiite preacher Nimr al-Nimr in Riyadh. After that, Iran withdrew its ambassador, and mass protests erupted in Tehran, during which the building of the Saudi Arabian embassy was set on fire.
According to the Al-Arabiya newspaper, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and head of Iranian diplomacy Hossein Amir-Abdollahian have reached an agreement, under which “the restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran marks a decisive moment for strengthening security in the region.” The first contact was qualified as “very fruitful.”
“The Islamic Republic highly appreciates the role that Saudi Arabia plays in the region, and the two countries can work together towards solving the still open regional problems,” the Iranian minister explained. Both countries have decided to reopen their embassies and consulates, as well as to return to the implementation of security and economic cooperation agreements that were signed more than 20 years ago.