Top Iranian, Saudi diplomats discuss latest developments in bilateral relations

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L) and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart have discussed the latest developments in bilateral relations and underlined the need for promotion of cooperation between the two neighbors.  

Amir-Abdollahian and Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held talks on the phone on Friday evening.

During the telephone conversation, the Iranian foreign minister expressed his satisfaction with the progress of mutual agreements, including the face-to-face meeting of the foreign ministers of the two countries, announcement of the resumption of diplomatic relations, and dispatch of technical teams to reopen embassies and consulates.

Amir-Abdollahian underscored that the Islamic Republic is preparing to officially reopen its embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia.

Iranian FM says Tehran to soon appoint ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Iran

He described the scheduled meetings between senior Iranian and Saudi officials as a manifestation of the two sides’ strong resolve to cooperate and cultivate intimate relations.

The Saudi foreign minister, for his part, emphasized that Riyadh considers bright prospects for relations with Tehran and would spare no efforts to strengthen the ties.

“We have taken good steps in the past two months, and our adherence to the signed agreements shows our steely determination,” he said.

The top Saudi diplomat also pointed to Iran’s age-old participation and important role in the establishment of world peace and development through multi-polar structures ever since the formation of the League of Nations, which lasted for 26 years and was replaced by the United Nations (UN) in 1946.

“Iran’s interaction and presence in international multi-polar structures dates back to more than one hundred years ago. Campaigns of pressure against the Iranian government and nation have never managed to undermine the country’s prominent position in international spheres,” Prince Faisal noted.

Amir-Abdollahian announced on Thursday that Saudi Arabia had appointed a new ambassador to Tehran.

He told IRNA that “Saudi Arabia introduced its new ambassador to Tehran the previous day,” and that Iran will soon name its new ambassador to the kingdom.

Under the terms of the agreement signed on March 10, both countries agreed to appoint new ambassadors and reopen their embassies within two months. “My colleagues have been working for weeks to prepare the embassy and consulate for reopening,” Amir-Abdollahian said.

Iranian delegation in Saudi Arabia to prepare for embassy reopening

Iran says its technical delegation has arrived in the Saudi capital of Riyadh to discuss the implementation of a landmark reconciliation agreement.

The meeting between the foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia on April 6 marked the first such meeting in seven years and emphasized the need to implement the China-brokered agreement.

The detente has been lauded by both sides as having the potential to ease tensions in the Middle East region.

Diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Tehran were severed by Saudi Arabia in January 2016 after Iranian protesters, angered by the execution of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr by the Saudi government, stormed its embassy in Tehran.