Saudi foreign minister visits Iran

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister visited Tehran on Saturday, where he announced plans to reopen their embassy as the regional rivals restore ties that they severed seven years ago.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan was received by his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian amid warming ties between their countries after China brokered a reconciliation deal that was signed in March.

“We are trying to continue diplomatic actions in the two countries. We witnessed the reopening of Iranian embassies and soon our embassy in Tehran will also be reopened,” Bin Farhan said in a joint press conference with Amir-Abdollahian.

Saudi Arabia has rented a whole floor in a luxury hotel in Tehran out of which it will handle its diplomatic affairs until the official opening of the Kingdom’s embassy, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news.

Tehran and Riyadh have had rocky relations since 1979 when Shiite clerics came to power in Iran and pledged to export their revolution to the world, including Gulf countries. They severed ties in 2016 when Iranian protestors attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in retaliation for the kingdom’s execution of prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

They are also on opposing sides in conflicts such as the war in Yemen and a detente has raised hopes for regional security.

“I stressed to the Iranian side the necessity of the region to be free of weapons of mass destruction, and the need for joint cooperation for the security and stability of the region, mutual respect and not interfering in internal affairs,” Bin Farhan said.

Amir-Abdollahian emphasized that both countries seek to spread peace and security in the region and boost their economic ties. “I discussed regional security in the region with the Saudi foreign minister,” he said.

Iran reopened its embassy in the capital Riyadh and its consulate in Jeddah on June 6.

Their reconciliation could put an end to United States efforts to push Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with Israel.

“We had a discussion about supporting the oppressed people of Palestine and we agree that the Palestinian issue is a common issue,” Amir-Abdollahian said.

Iran and Israel are bitter foes, with Israel condemning Tehran’s nuclear program, military activities, and support for various armed groups.