Iran to Resume Operation of Diplomatic Missions in Saudi Arabia Starting from the 6th

Diplomatic Normalization After 7 Years of Severed Relations

The Iranian government will officially resume the operation of its diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia on the 6th (local time).

Nasser Kanaani, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated in a press release on the 5th, "On Tuesday (the 6th), the embassy in Riyadh and the consulate general in Jeddah will officially reopen."

The Islamic Cooperation Organization (OIC) representative office in Jeddah will begin operations on the 7th. Earlier, Saudi Arabia and Iran held a secret meeting in Beijing, China, on March 10 and agreed to restore diplomatic relations. This comes after seven years of severed ties.

In April, delegations from both countries were dispatched to each other's countries to carry out practical work for the reestablishment of embassies and other facilities.

Last month, on the 23rd, Iran appointed Alireza Enayati, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as its ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

In 2016, diplomatic relations between the two countries were severed after Saudi Arabia, the Sunni Islamic powerhouse, executed a prominent Shia cleric despite opposition from Iran, the Shia leader.