Iran, Saudi Arabia sign deal to improve relations

Iran and Saudi Arabia on Friday set out to re-establish relations by ending security problems in the Gulf and conflict-creating hostilities in the Middle East.

The agreement on re-establishing relations after years of disagreement was announced in Beijing by senior officials of the two countries. The talks, which lasted 4 days, were unannounced.

Tehran and Riyadh agreed to resume diplomatic relations and re-open embassies within two months, according to a statement issued by Iran, Saudi Arabia and China.

TOGETHER AGAINST ZIONISM

In the statement made after the meeting, Iranian Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkani also emphasized the danger that may come from the West and Israel.

"At the end of the talks we reached a conclusion, to start a new chapter after seven years of breaking off relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia, while considering the matters of the two countries, and the security and future of the region, to prevent meddling from extra-regional and western states, and consistent meddling of the Zionist regime in the region.”

SAUDI ARABIA EXECUTED A SHI'I

Relations were further strained after a Shiite cleric was executed in Saudi Arabia. In 2016, Iranians opposed to this execution raided the Saudi Arabian embassy in Tehran. Thus, relations between the two countries ended.

IRAN'S ATTACKS STRENGTHENED RELATIONS

In recent years Saudi Arabia has blamed Iran for missile and drone attacks on the kingdom's oil facilities in 2019 as well as attacks on tankers in Gulf waters. Iran denied the charges.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement has also carried out cross-border missile and drone attacks into Saudi Arabia, which leads a coalition fighting the Houthis, and in 2022 extended the strikes to the UAE.

On Friday, an agreement was signed between Iran's top security official, Ali Shamkhani, and Saudi Arabia's national security adviser Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, on behalf of the restructuring of relations that were cut off on Friday. The parties agreed to reactivate the 2001 security agreement, as well as the earlier agreement on trade, economy, investment.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi described the deal as a victory for dialog and peace, adding that Beijing would continue to play a constructive role in addressing tough global issues.

(Reuters)