Iran-Saudi Arabia Relations

Secretary General of the Gaza-based Islamic Jihad movement has lauded the recent agreement between Tehran and Riyadh on the revival of ties. Ziad al-Nakhala added the deal has restored normality to the region and will have positive effects on the Palestinian cause.

Iran has named an ambassador to Saudi Arabia, almost two months after the two countries agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations. Alireza Enayati was named Iran’s new ambassador to Riyadh.

A recent trip by Iranian Economy Minister Ehsan Khandouzi to Saudi Arabia was a sign that Tehran and Riyadh are serious in their pursuit of rapprochement, a report says.

Iranian Minister of Economy Ehsan Khandouzi says that during a recent meeting with Saudi officials, they demanded that the resumption of economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran also be facilitated promptly.

The Iranian foreign ministers says Tehran has made the necessary preparations for the reopening of its embassy and consulate in Saudi Arabia.

Iranian Minister of Economy and Financial Affairs Seyyed Ehsan Khandouzi, at the head of an economic delegation, has arrived at the Jeddah airport in Saudi Arabia, and was welcomed by the kingdom’s officials, directors of the Saudi-based Islamic Development Bank, and staff members of the Iranian Consulate in the Saudi city.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that Tehran will soon appoint an ambassador to Riyadh, following a China-brokered agreement in March that ended a seven-year rupture in Tehran-Riyadh relations.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy says the hurdle to visits by Iranian businesspeople to Saudi Arabia will be removed within the next 30 days.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy says a Saudi trade delegation will participate in an exhibition of Iranian-made products in Tehran.

Iran’s chargé d'affaires in Saudi Arabia has thanked Riyadh for its assistance in repatriating Iranian nationals from Sudan where the army and a rebel group are engaged in heavy fighting.

Head of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines has reportedly sent a letter to the chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce, declaring the full readiness of the Iranian private sector to exchange commercial and economic delegations in areas of mutual interest and to hold joint trade exhibitions.

Iran’s minister of industry, mines and trade says Tehran and Riyadh have started their trade ties after their recent agreement to normalize relations, adding the two neighbors have kicked off trade exchanges.

Iran’s minister of roads and urban development says Saudi Arabia has requested that three flights be scheduled weekly between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian described the outcome of the Saudi technical team’s trip to Iran for the reopening of the country’s embassy and consulate general as good.

Top diplomats from the Group of Seven have welcomed initiates to mend diplomatic relationships between Tehran and Riyadh.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman says Iran and Saudi Arabia are pushing to implement their agreements on re-opening of embassies and that the missions will begin operation no later than May 9.

Iran’s foreign ministry says Tehran and Riyadh will re-open their embassies by May 9.

The technical delegation of Saudi Arabia visited the Saudi Consulate in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad to explore ways to re-open the mission.

Iran's embassy in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh reopened its gates on Wednesday for the first time in seven years, a Reuters witness said. It came after the two sides agreed to resume diplomatic relations under a China-brokered deal.

A senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official says Tehran is making efforts to re-open its Embassy in the Saudi capital city of Riyadh and its Consulate in Jeddah prior to the beginning of the Hajj pilgrimage season in Saudi Arabia in June.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani confirmed that a Saudi delegation is visiting the Islamic Republic to follow up on the issue of reopening its diplomatic missions in Tehran and the city of Mashhad. He also added that Iran will send a delegation to Saudi Arabia soon in order to pave the way for reopening Tehran’s embassy and consulate in the Arab country.

If Iranian government officials take the same path in international arena they trod during the negotiations with Saudi Arabia, it will have numerous benefits for Iran and the region, Tehran-based Jomhouri Eslami daily wrote in an article.

A delegation of Saudi technical officials has reportedly landed in Iran to discuss mechanisms for the reopening of the kingdom's diplomatic mission in Tehran and its consulate general in the city of Mashhad.

Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) William Burns has reportedly expressed frustration over Riyadh's outreach to Tehran and Damascus.

The spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Iran and Saudi Arabia have formally resumed their relations as of Thursday, following a meeting between the top diplomats of the two countries in China.