Rival Nations Resume Diplomatic Relations

The Saudi Arabian ambassador to Iran arrived in Tehran on Tuesday, and his counterpart landed in Riyadh, rebuilding ties between rivals in the Persian Gulf after a seven-year hiatus.

Reopening of Embassies

Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to resume diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies following a Chinese-brokered deal in March.

History of Conflict

Riyadh and Tehran severed ties in 2016 after Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran were attacked during protests over the execution in Riyadh of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

Importance of Strengthening Ties

The Saudi leadership recognizes “the importance of strengthening ties, expanding interaction… and taking (relationships) to wider horizons,” Ambassador Abdullah Alanazi said upon arriving in Tehran to carry out his duties, according to a statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry.

Embassy Reopenings

Also on Tuesday, Iranian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati arrived in the capital Riyadh, where he was received by foreign ministry officials and embassy staff, the official Iranian news agency IRNA reported.

Previous Roles of Ambassadors

Alanazi was formerly the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Oman and Enyati was formerly the Iranian ambassador to Kuwait.

Continued Progress

The Saudi Arabian embassy in Tehran reopened last month. In June, Iran marked the opening of its embassy in Riyadh with a flag-raising ceremony.

Last month, Iran’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, preached unity and dialogue during his first visit to Saudi Arabia since the surprise rapprochement was announced, saying bilateral ties were “progressing in the right direction.”

Opposing Sides in Conflict Zones

Iran and Saudi Arabia have been supporting opposing sides in conflict zones in the Middle East for years.

Efforts for Peace

Since the March deal, Saudi Arabia has reestablished ties with Iranian ally Syria and stepped up efforts to bring peace to Yemen, where it has led a military coalition against Iranian-backed rebel forces for years.