Iran, Saudi Arabia formally restore diplomatic relations: Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman

The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry has announced the official restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia after top diplomats from the two countries held a landmark meeting in the Chinese capital city of Beijing and issued a joint statement.

“I am delighted to announce the first official meeting between the Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers in Beijing following the [March 10] agreement between the two countries to resume formal ties, and three rounds of telephone conversations between the top diplomats,” Nasser Kan’ani told reporters in Beijing on Thursday.

He hailed the “very good” negotiations held between Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan in a “totally positive and constructive atmosphere” in the Chinese capital.

As a result of the foreign ministerial meeting, the formal relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have been officially re-established as of today, Kan’ani noted.

Iran, Saudi FMs meet in China for first time in seven years

The Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers hold a meeting for the first time after seven years of severed relations.

The official highlighted that the two Muslim countries will exchange technical delegations within the next few days to make preparations for the reopening of embassies in Tehran and Riyadh as well as their respective consulates.

Earlier on Thursday, Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart signed a joint statement after holding talks in Beijing.

The two top diplomats have stressed the need to implement the Chinese-mediated agreement on the restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia in order to build mutual trust, pave the way for enhanced cooperation and contribute to regional security, stability and prosperity.

The joint statement has also emphasized the necessity to carry out a security cooperation agreement that Tehran and Riyadh had signed in April 2001, and another agreement on cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, technology, science, culture, sports and youth signed in May 1998.

According to the statement, Iran and Saudi Arabia will take the necessary measures to reopen the embassies in Tehran and Riyadh and their consulate generals in Mashhad and Jeddah, and to make arrangements for the resumption of direct flights, reciprocal visits by the official and private sector delegations, and facilitate the visa regime for the citizens of the two nations, including visa for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Iran, Saudi FMs seek implementation of reconciliation deal to boost regional security

The top Iranian and Saudi diplomats underscore the need to implement a landmark China-brokered reconciliation agreement.

“The two sides have agreed to promote cooperation in any field that could ensure regional security and stability and fulfill the interests of its nations and countries,” the statement read.

The top Iranian and Saudi diplomats have also expressed gratitude to China for hosting their meeting and to Switzerland for representing the interests of Iran and Saudi Arabia when their ties were severed over the past seven years.

After several days of intensive negotiations hosted by China, Iran and Saudi Arabia clinched a deal on March 10 to restore diplomatic relations and reopen embassies and missions within two months after seven years of estrangement.

To the dismay of the US and Israel, the detente has the potential to ease tensions across a region characterized by turbulence for decades.

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