Raisi Invites King Salman to Visit Tehran
Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi has invited Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz to pay an official visit to Iran, at a time when relations between the two regional powers are witnessing a momentum since the announcement of the diplomatic reconciliation agreement after years of hiatus, amid hopes that the agreement will lead to easing tensions in the region and finding solutions to a number of issues such as the Yemeni crisis.
“The Beijing agreement between the foreign ministries of the two countries is proceeding well and at an acceptable pace, and according to the agreement, the two sides were scheduled to reopen their embassies and consulates within two months of holding the first meeting, that is until May 9,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said during his weekly press conference, according to IRNA.
“Political relations between the two countries have been established directly, and we can say that they have been activated,” he said. “We do not have any ambiguous issues or obstacles in this direction. “Especially since the hajj season is ahead of us.”
Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi has accepted an invitation from Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz to visit Riyadh, said Ali Reza Enayati, Iran’s assistant foreign minister and director of the foreign ministry’s Gulf affairs department.
The visit will contribute to strengthening relations between the two countries and diversifying areas of cooperation, he said, adding that it will be important and will have a positive impact on boosting bilateral cooperation.
He added that Iran and Saudi Arabia stress that their relations will not be limited to specific areas, as they are two big countries and that their cooperation will have a great impact on the region and beyond.
Inayati said the two countries’ foreign ministers, Hossein Amir Abdollahian and Prince Faisal bin Farhan, will meet in the coming period. Saudi officials did not give a date for the opening of the embassy.
An Iranian delegation turned to Saudi Arabia last Wednesday to finalize arrangements for opening embassies in Riyadh and Tehran, and consulates in Jeddah and Mashhad, resuming flights and facilitating visas.
“The Iranian delegation will take the required measures in Riyadh and Jeddah to resume the activities of the embassy and consulate general,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said at the time.
Saudi Arabia and Iran announced on March 10th that they would resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies within two months, following Chinese-sponsored talks in Beijing.
Countries in the region and beyond welcomed the agreement on diplomatic reconciliation between the two regional rivals as a positive step towards stability that could pave the way for further regional diplomatic rapprochement.
Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran in 2016 after storming its embassy in Tehran amid a row over the execution of a Shiite cleric by Riyadh.
Beijing is keen to make the surprise agreement on restoring relations between the two regional powers work, opening the way for it to be a major player in the region, and it would lead to much-needed stability in trade and energy supplies.
