Iranian delegation arrives in Riyadh to prepare for embassy reopening
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The delegation will also prepare to reopen the consulate in Jeddah and restore the activities of Iran's permanent representative in the (Jeddah-based) Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian meets with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Beijing, China, April 6, 2023. (Reuters)
An Iranian delegation landed in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to finalize talks over the reopening of embassies between the two countries and the resumption of the work of the diplomatic mission.
The visit came just days after the Saudi delegation arrived in Iran to prepare for the reopening of the Saudi embassy in Tehran and the consulate in Mashhad.
"In accordance with the implementation of the agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia on the resumption of diplomatic activities... the Iranian technical delegation arrived in Riyadh at midday Wednesday and was welcomed by Saudi officials," said Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani.
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"The Iranian delegation will take the necessary steps to reopen the embassy in Riyadh and the consulate general in Jeddah as well as the activities of Iran's permanent representative in the (Jeddah-based) Organisation of Islamic Cooperation," he added.
Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relations and reopen missions in respective countries after a series of talks brokered in Beijing, China under the auspices of Chinese President Xi Jinping on March 10.
Earlier this month, expressing his welcome to the agreement to resume diplomatic relations between the two nations, Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud officially invited Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to visit the kingdom, which the latter accepted.
Following the agreement, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric indicated that the United Nations hopes that the renewal of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia will positively impact the situation in Yemen.
"In Yemen, we have a situation that is fragile … We hope this agreement will have a positive impact on this situation and others," Dujarric told a briefing.
He added that it is no surprise that the tension arising from the Iranian-Saudi relationship reflected negatively on the region and impacted it as a whole.
Earlier this month, Saudi officials held talks with high-ranking officials in the Ansar Allah movement in Sanaa where both parties detailed a peace process in Yemen and the end of the Saudi-led aggression and siege on the country.
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) had a phone call with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Tuesday, and the two officials discussed issues relating to Iran and the process of ending the war in Yemen, said the White House.
Sullivan highlighted the efforts of the Kingdom “to pursue a more comprehensive roadmap for ending the war” in Yemen.
The two "discussed broader trends toward de-escalation in the region, while underscoring the need to maintain deterrence against threats from Iran and elsewhere. Mr. Sullivan reaffirmed President Biden’s unwavering commitment to ensure Iran can never acquire a nuclear weapon.”
On the same note, The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that CIA Director William Burns recently met with Saudi leaders, as he expressed his frustration with Saudi officials. According to the paper, Burns told MBS that the US felt blindsided by Riyadh’s rapprochement with rivals Iran and Syria under the auspices of Washington’s global rivals.
