Critical deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia

An agreement was signed between Iran and Saudi Arabia on the resumption of diplomatic relations and the mutual opening of embassies.

Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to resume diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies in 7 years. The two countries reached an agreement following talks in China. The two countries severed diplomatic relations in 2016 following the execution of Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr in Riyadh and attacks on Saudi embassies in Iran.

Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to rebuild ties after years of hostilities that have threatened stability and security in the Persian Gulf and stoked conflicts in the Middle East, from Yemen to Syria.

The Chinese-brokered deal was announced after four days of previously undisclosed talks in Beijing between top security officials from the two rival Middle Eastern powers.

According to a statement from Iran, Saudi Arabia and China, Tehran and Riyadh agreed to resume diplomatic relations and open embassies within two months. “The agreement also includes a reaffirmation of the principles of respect for the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs,” the statement said. it was said.

Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran was ransacked amid a dispute between the two countries over Riyadh’s execution of a Shiite cleric.

Saudi Arabia also accused Iran of missile and drone attacks on oil facilities in 2019, as well as attacks on tankers in the waters of the Persian Gulf. Iran denied these accusations.

The Iran-linked Houthis in Yemen also carried out cross-border missile and drone strikes against Saudi Arabia, which leads the coalition fighting the Houthis, and extended those attacks to the United Arab Emirates in 2022.

The agreement, signed on Friday by Iran’s top security official Ali Shamkhani and Saudi national security adviser Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, includes a security cooperation agreement signed in 2001, as well as another previously signed trade agreement. economy and investment. reactivate.

Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi called the agreement a victory for dialogue and peace, adding that Beijing will continue to play a constructive role in dealing with complex global issues.

US NOT DIRECTLY PARTICIPATED

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Saudi Arabia informed the United States about the talks in Beijing, but Washington was not directly involved in them. Kirby said that Washington supports the process of ending the war in Yemen.