Saudi Arabia and Iran launch direct talks

On Monday, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said that Tehran always welcomed dialogue with Saudi Arabia, but he did not confirm nor deny direct talks this month between the arch-rivals.

"We have seen media reports about talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia, although the reports sometimes had contradictory quotes," Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told a weekly news conference.

"What is important is that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always welcomed dialogue with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it in the interest of the people of the two countries, as well as peace and stability in the region," he added.

Financial Times reported that senior Saudi and Iranian officials held direct talks to mend relations between the two countries four years after cutting off diplomatic ties. The first round of negotiations in Baghdad on April 9 included discussions about attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi group and was cheerful.

In January 2016, after Saudi Arabia executed a public figure named Nimra al-Nimra, the embassy of the Kingdom of the Islamic Republic in Tehran and the Consulate in Mashhad were set on fire. Saudi Arabia and several Arab states cut diplomatic ties with Iran after the attack. Besides, Tehran agreed to allow Pakistan to mediate between Iran and Saudi Arabia.