TEHRAN, Iran – Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat arrived in the Iranian capital on Saturday, the latest step in the restoration of diplomatic ties between the two Middle East rivals, Iranian state media reported.
Iran TV said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan was officially welcomed by his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian.
He also delivered a message from the Saudi king to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. The two are scheduled to meet later on Saturday.
Prince Faisal is expected to officially inaugurate the kingdom’s embassy in Tehran later on Saturday. Iran TV said the crew were working from a hotel in Tehran until the mission was completed.
Both countries reopened their diplomatic missions in recent weeks.
Last week, Iran reopened its embassy in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia has not yet confirmed when it will open its embassy in Tehran or make its selection for an ambassador, although a Saudi delegation visited the Iranian capital in April.
In March, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations after seven years of tensions.
foreign minister of #Saudi Arab have come in #Iran, This is the first visit by a Saudi foreign minister to Tehran since 2006. Saud bin Faisal Al Saud met with Khamenei that year.https://t.co/llCYtG2Dbm pic.twitter.com/9WFxFiXBXf
— Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) June 17, 2023
It was a major diplomatic success brokered by China, reducing the likelihood of further conflict between Riyadh and Tehran – both directly and in proxy conflicts around the region.
Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran and consulate in the northwestern city of Mashhad were attacked during protests over Riyadh’s execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
