Tehran – The bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran are based on a clear foundation of full and mutual respect for independence, sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, said the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan.
During a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir Abdollahian in Tehran on Saturday, Prince Faisal stated that the talks were positive and aligned with the agreement signed by the two countries in Beijing on March 10, 2023.
Efforts are underway to reopen diplomatic and consular missions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, including the reopening of Iran’s embassy in Riyadh and consulate in Jeddah, as well as the Iranian mission to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The prince also mentioned the forthcoming reopening of the Saudi embassy in Tehran.
Prince Faisal conveyed greetings from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, inviting him to visit Saudi Arabia.
The Prince expressed hope that the resumption of normal relations between Riyadh and Tehran would positively impact both countries, fostering joint cooperation in various fields for mutual benefit.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of regional security, including maritime security and the eradication of weapons of mass destruction, through cooperation among all regional nations.
Since restoring ties, Saudi Arabia has pushed for a peace deal with Iran-backed Houthi rebels and also championed the return last month of key Iran ally Syria to the Arab fold.
Saturday’s meeting between the Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers was not the first for the two top diplomats.
Prince Faisal and Amir-Abdollahian had met in Beijing in April, where they both vowed to promote regional security and stability.
The same month, a Saudi delegation visited Iran to discuss reopening its diplomatic missions, Riyadh’s foreign ministry said at the time.
While Iran reopened its embassy in Saudi Arabia, the reopening of the Saudi embassy in Tehran has been delayed due to the poor condition of the building which was damaged during the 2016 protests.
Pending the completion of the work, Saudi diplomats will be working from a luxury hotel in Tehran, according to media reports.
After the landmark deal with the Saudi kingdom, Iran has moved to cementing or restoring ties with neighbouring Arab countries.
In April, Iran named an ambassador to the United Arab Emirates nearly eight years after his predecessor left.
The move came after Iran welcomed an Emirati ambassador last September ending a six-year absence after the UAE had cut the level of its diplomatic representation in 2016.
Iran has also said it would welcome restoring diplomatic ties with Bahrain to end a seven-year rupture. And at the end of May, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said he would welcome a resumption of relations with Egypt which have been cut since the 1979 Islamic revolution.