Iran appoints ambassador to UAE for first time in 8 years
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Iran appoints an ambassador to the UAE for the first time in eight years, marking a thaw between the two states after nearly a decade of disputes.
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The flags of the United Arab Emirates and Iran at the Iranian Pavilion of Expo 2020, in Dubai on February 7, 2020 (AFP)
Iran appointed an ambassador to the United Arab Emirates for the first time in eight years after ice-cold ties between the two states, Iranian media reported on Tuesday.
Reza Ameri, the newly appointed ambassador, formerly served as the director general of the Iranian expatriates' office in the foreign ministry.
This is happening as Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relations and reopen missions in respective countries after a series of talks brokered in Beijing. China was able to spark the process of reconciliation between the two nations on March 10.
After seven years of strained ties, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relations and re-open their embassies series of talks brokered in Beijing, China under the auspices of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Since then, it seems the heads of state in both countries have extended official invitations to one another.
Iranian-Saudi ties had soured after Saudi Arabia severed ties with Tehran in January 2016 following the Kingdom's execution of prominent human rights activist and outspoken Riyadh critic Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al-Nimr.
Simultaneously, 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.
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan received Sunday a phone call from his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in which the two sides agreed to a date for a meeting.
Shortly after the agreement was struck, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Shamkhani visited the UAE and met with President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Shamkhani also met with the ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who said the UAE's principled policy is based on not allowing a third country to stir up a division or use the UAE's geography against Iran.
