Iran, Saudi Arabia to open embassies in Riyadh, Tehran until May 9

Iran and Saudi Arabia will reopen their embassies in Riyadh and Tehran by May 9, Director General of Iran's Foreign Ministry Office for Persian Gulf Affairs Alireza Enayati said on April 17 in an interview with IRNA, Report informs referring to TASS.

“In accordance with the agreements reached, the embassies of the two countries will reopen until May 9,” Enayati said. He expressed hope that by that time the consulates general in Jeddah and Mashhad would also resume their work.

Enayati praised the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia and noted the great potential for their cooperation in the fields of defense and energy. In addition, the agenda includes questions about the meeting of the foreign ministers of the two countries and the visit of President of the Islamic Republic, Ebrahim Raisi, to Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE. At the same time, he denied the information that Iran was invited to the Arab League summit.

On March 10, Tehran and Riyadh agreed to restore diplomatic relations and resume the work of embassies within two months. On April 6, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Beijing. Following the talks, a joint statement was adopted. The parties, in particular, confirmed the previously reached agreements on the opening of embassies and consulates, the intention to hold consultations to expand cooperation, resume flights and simplify the process of issuing visas.