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Iranian, Saudi FMs discuss latest status of restoring relations

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
27 Mar 2023 03:10

The top diplomats confirm that reestablishing bilateral relations is a priority for the two nations.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (middle), Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamakhani (right), and Minister of State and National Security Advisor of Saudi Arabia Musaad bin Mohammed al-Aiban in Beijing, China on March 10, 2023 (Reuters)

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud discussed the developments of the reestablishment of bilateral relations between the two countries.

During a phone call, Amir-Abdollahian and bin Farhan mainly talked about the process to restore all diplomatic ties and considered it a top priority between the two Islamic nations.

The relationship initially became strained after the execution of Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, a vocal critic of the Saudi government who voiced his concerns against corruption and political injustice in the Kingdom, back in January 2016.

During the past years, Iran had 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.

After seven years of strained ties, Iran and Saudi Arabia announced on March 10 that they 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.

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."