theo al Jazeera, The exchange of ambassadors cements the restoration of ties between the two Gulf rivals after a seven-year rift.
According to a new statement from Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry, the country’s leaders recognize the importance of strengthening ties and the need to bring a comprehensive approach to relations.
China mediated to break the ice in bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March this year – Photo: AL-JAZEERA
On September 5, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Iran, Mr. Abdullah bin Saud al-Anji, arrived in Tehran.
On the same day, according to Iran’s IRNA news agency, the Iranian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mr. Alireza Enayati, was also present in the capital Riyadh, where he was welcomed by the host country’s Foreign Ministry officials and embassy staff.
Mr Saud al-Anzi was previously Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Oman, while Mr Enayati served as Iran’s special envoy to Kuwait.
In March this year, China mediated the resumption of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, leading to the gradual restoration of full diplomatic ties.
Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Tehran reopened last month and in June Iran also opened its embassy in Riyadh with a flag-raising ceremony.
Last month, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made his first visit to Saudi Arabia since the resumption of ties, confirming that bilateral relations are moving in the right direction.
Saudi Arabia also restored ties with Iran’s ally Syria and promoted peace in Yemen following last March’s accord.
Earlier in 2016, Riyadh and Tehran severed ties after Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic missions in Iran were attacked during protests against the execution of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
