Countries, leaders hail Saudi-Iran restoration of diplomatic ties

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
11 Mar 2023 12:13

Arab leaders and countries welcome the announcement that Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed to resume diplomatic relations.

Ali Shamkhani (R), secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, talking with Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Saudi Arabia's National Security Advisor, during a meeting in Beijing (Reuters)

Syria has welcomed the announcement that Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed to resume diplomatic ties.

In a statement, Syria's Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ministry said that "the important step will lead to boosting cooperation and stability in the region, and it will positively reflect the common interests of the two peoples in particular and peoples of the region in general."

“Syria hopes those efforts would continue to include relations among Arab countries and friends to confront the huge challenges facing the world today,” the Ministry added.

UAE

On his part, the Emirati Foreign Minister, Abdullah bin Zayed, hailed the restoration of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran as an important step toward stability and prosperity in the region.

عودة العلاقات بين السعودية الشقيقة و ايران خطوة هامة للمنطقة نحو الاستقرار و الازدهار
— عبدالله بن زايد (@ABZayed) March 11, 2023

It is noteworthy that the UAE Foreign Minister, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, visited Syria early last month, and met with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, in the first visit by a prominent foreign official in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake.

Moreover, a diplomatic advisor to the United Arab Emirates President said on Friday he welcomed an agreement restoring diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

“We welcome the agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran to resume diplomatic relations, and we hail the Chinese role in this regard,” Anwar Gargash tweeted.

“The UAE believes in the importance of positive communication and dialogue among the countries of the region towards consolidating the concepts of good neighborliness and starting from a common ground to build a more stable future for all.”

Several Arab countries reflected their views on the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia most notably the UAE, Egypt, and Qatar. The countries touched on the subject by expressing hope for the future.

EU

The EU on Saturday welcomed the agreement by Saudi Arabia and Iran to resume diplomatic ties after officials of the two countries met in China.

"The European Union welcomes the announced agreement on resumption of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and looks forward to its implementation," Peter Stano, the lead spokesperson for the external affairs of the EU, said in a statement.

Iran/Saudi Arabia: 🇪🇺welcomes the announced agreement on resumption of diplomatic relations between 🇮🇷 and 🇸🇦, and looks forward to its implementation.The resumption of their bilateral relations can contribute to the stabilisation of the region as a whole. https://t.co/vg7M4SV5Tx
— Peter Stano (@ExtSpoxEU) March 11, 2023

"The EU acknowledges the diplomatic efforts leading to this important step," Stano added.

The resumption of bilateral relations "can contribute to the stabilization of the region as a whole," he emphasized, considering that Riyadh and Tehran are central to regional security.

The EU's key priorities in the Middle East are to achieve de-escalation of tensions and promote peace and stability, Stano stressed.

The Spokesperson revealed that the union remains ready to engage with all actors in the region "in a gradual and inclusive approach, and in full transparency."

The big picture

After seven years of strained ties, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relations and re-open their embassies after a series of talks brokered in Beijing, China, under the auspices of Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday.

According to the joint statement, "The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have agreed to resume diplomatic ties and reopen embassies and missions within two months of talks."

Moreover, Iran and Saudi Arabia said they "thank the Republic of Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman for hosting the talks held between the two sides in 2021 and 2022, as well as the leaders and government of the People's Republic of China for hosting and supporting the talks held in that country."

Diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia grew strained following the execution of Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr in January 2016.

Sheikh al-Nimr was a vocal critic of the Saudi government.

The Sheikh raised his voice against corruption and political injustice inflicted on marginalized groups that constitute minorities in different regions of the Kingdom, notably Al-Qatif.

The Saudi authorities arrested him in 2011 for participating in protests in the Eastern Province calling for political reform. They executed al-Nimr and 46 others under the pretext of "fighting terrorism" only to oppress dissidents and opponents.

Iran continuously expressed support for Sanaa in its self-defense against the Saudi-led coalition aggression against the country, which resulted in further drift between Tehran and Riyadh during the past year.