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RIYADH – Iran will reopen its embassy in Arab Saudi on Tuesday (6/6/2023), after closing seven years. The restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia could be realized after China’s involvement, in March.
Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran and the consulate in the northwestern city of Mashhad were attacked by pro-regime protesters.
As reported by AFP, Monday (5/6/2023), the Iranian diplomatic mission that was expelled by the Saudi authorities will return under the leadership of Alireza Enayati, who previously served as Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait.
Tehran’s foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani announced the reopening in a statement earlier this week. He, confirming earlier comments by a diplomatic source in Riyadh.
“Iran’s embassy in Riyadh, its consulate in Jeddah and its representative office for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will officially reopen on Tuesday and Wednesday,” Kanani said.
Diplomatic sources earlier told AFP that the opening would take place Tuesday at 18:00 local time (1500 GMT) in the presence of Iran’s newly appointed ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has not confirmed when it will reopen its embassy in Tehran or select its ambassador. Iranian media named Enayati as an envoy of the Islamic Republic of Saudi Arabia last month.
He previously served as assistant foreign minister and director general of Gulf affairs at the foreign ministry, according to Iranian reports.
After years of wrangling, the two Middle East heavyweights signed a surprise reconciliation agreement in China on March 10. Since then, Saudi Arabia has restored ties with Tehran’s ally Syria.
(esn)
