Iran embassy in Riyadh officially launches its work
The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister says today is an important day in the relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
An Iranian source told Al Mayadeen that the Iranian embassy in Riyadh officially launched its work on Tuesday.
Iran reopened on Tuesday its embassy in Saudi Arabia after a seven-year closure, reaffirming a Chinese-brokered rapprochement.
The Iranian mission resumes in its former premises in Riyadh's diplomatic quarter -- near Syria's embassy, which is also expected to reopen soon following Saudi outreach to Damascus.
The mission returns under the leadership of Alireza Enayati, Iran's former ambassador to Kuwait.
"We consider today an important day in the relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Alireza Bigdeli expressed during a flag-raising ceremony.
"The cooperation between the countries is entering a new era," Bigdeli added.
Under a Chinese-brokered agreement, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed on March 10 to restore diplomatic ties and restart their respective embassies.
Saudi Arabia has yet to confirm when it will open its embassy in Tehran or its pick for ambassador, although a Saudi delegation visited the Iranian capital in April.
The ceremony at the embassy was also attended by Ali Al Youssef, director of consular affairs at the Saudi Foreign Ministry.