Fri 10 March 2023:
Iran and Saudi Arabia have decided to reestablish relations and reopen embassies within two months, according to Iranian and Saudi state media.
The deal was reached on Friday following negotiations in Beijing, the capital of China.
“As a result of the talks, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to resume diplomatic relations and re-open embassies … within two months,” Iranian news agency IRNA reported on Friday.
Iranian state media posted images and video described as being taken in China with the meeting. It showed Ali Shamkhani, the council’s secretary, with Saudi national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammed al-Aiban and Wang Yi, China’s most senior diplomat.
“After implementing of the decision, the foreign ministers of both nations will meet to prepare for exchange of ambassadors,” Iranian state television said.
In the footage aired by Iranian media, Wang could be heard offering “whole-hearted congratulations” on the two countries’ “wisdom”.
The Saudi Press Agency confirmed the agreement when it also published the joint statement from Saudi Arabia and Iran, which said that the two countries had agreed to respect state sovereignty and not interfere in each other’s internal affairs.
Joint Trilateral Statement by the Kingdom of #Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of #Iran, and the People’s Republic of #China. pic.twitter.com/MyMkcGK2s0
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) March 10, 2023
The statement also said that Riyadh and Tehran had agreed to activate a security cooperation agreement signed in 2001.
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency quoted Shamkhani as calling the talks “clear, transparent, comprehensive and constructive”.
“Removing misunderstandings and the future-oriented views in relations between Tehran and Riyadh will definitely lead to improving regional stability and security, as well as increasing cooperation among Persian Gulf nations and the world of Islam for managing current challenges,” Shamkhani was quoted as saying.
Tensions have long been high between the regional rivals.
Saudi Arabia broke off ties with Iran in 2016 after protesters invaded Saudi diplomatic posts there.
But there have been more recent efforts on both sides to warm ties.
China, which recently hosted Iran’s hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi, is also a top purchaser of Saudi oil. President Xi Jinping, just awarded a third five-year term as president earlier on Friday, visited Riyadh in December to attend meetings with oil-rich Gulf Arab nations crucial to China’s energy supplies.
Iran and Saudi Arabia agree to restore relations
The regional rivals are expected to reopen embassies within two months as ties including security agreement are restored after Beijing talks.#Iran #SaudiArabia #إيران #السعودية pic.twitter.com/FQqFxTW22H
— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) March 10, 2023
A White House National Security Council spokesperson said the United States is aware of reports that Iran and Saudi Arabia have resumed diplomatic relations, but referred further details to the Saudis.
“Generally speaking, we welcome any efforts to help end the war in Yemen and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East region. De-escalation and diplomacy together with deterrence are key pillars of the policy President Biden outlined during his visit to the region last year,” the spokesperson told Reuters.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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