Iran And Saudi Arabia announced the restoration of diplomatic relations after negotiations in Chinasaid in a joint statement released today by state-run media outlets of the two Middle Eastern countries, whose ties have been severed since 2016.

‘Victory’ for Peace, Beijing Claims

The head of Chinese diplomacy, Wang Yi, said that the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries is a “victory” for dialogue and peace. The restoration of relations is “very good news” in today’s turbulent world, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, as Wang Yi said at the conclusion of the dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Wang Yi stressed that today, China will continue to play a constructive role in solving problems in hot spots around the world and demonstrate its “responsibility” as an important nation.

According to Iranian news agency IRNA, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani traveled to Beijing on Monday “for intensive talks in China with his Saudi counterpart to finally resolve the differences between Tehran and Riyadh.”

“After negotiations, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have agreed to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies and (diplomatic) missions within two months,” Iranian news agency IRNA reported, citing the announcement, which was also reproduced. This is reported by the official Saudi news agency SPA. The announcement was also broadcast by the Chinese news agency Xinhua.

A senior Iranian security official said today’s deal was backed by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Washington’s reaction

In response to Washington’s initial reaction, a White House National Security Council spokesman told Reuters that the US was aware of reports of the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, noting that Washington was passing on further details to the Saudis.

“In general, we welcome any efforts to end the war in Yemen and reduce tensions in the Middle East region. De-escalation and diplomacy, along with containment, are key pillars of the policy outlined by President Biden during his visit to the region last year,” the US official said.

For its part, Iraq welcomed the “turning of a new page” in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the Iraqi state news agency reported.

Since April 2021, Iraq has hosted a series of meetings between representatives of the security forces of the two rival powers aimed at bringing the two countries closer together.

In their joint statement, Iran and Saudi Arabia “thank the Republic of Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman for holding talks between the two parties in 2021 and 2022, and the leaders and government of the People’s Republic of China for welcoming and supporting the talks.” in this country.”

Oman, in its reaction to the announcement of the restoration of relations between Riyadh and Tehran, welcomed the tripartite statement by Saudi Arabia, Iran and China.

Need to re-establish “normal communications”

Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran severed ties seven years ago after Saudi diplomatic missions were attacked by protesters in the Islamic Republic following the execution of prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr in Riyadh.

Tehran and Riyadh support opposing sides in conflicts in the region, mainly in Yemen.

Iran has great influence in Iraq and Lebanon and provides military and political support to the regime in Syria.

The chief negotiator for the Yemeni Iranian-backed Houthi movement said on Twitter today that the region needs to resume “normal ties” between its countries, commenting on today’s developments. “The region needs to restore normal ties between its countries so that the Islamic nation can restore the security it has lost as a result of foreign interference,” Mohammed Abdulsalam said.

^{Source: APE, AFP, Reuters, dpa.}