Tehran, 25 January 2023 (GNP): The spokesperson of Iran’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, Nasser Kanaani, expressed his warmth about the recent statement of Saudi Arabia restoring relations with Iran. He said that Iran has always wanted friendly and cordial relations with all countries in the region.
Such positive moves and approaches would bring peace and prosperity to a region torn by conflicts and mutual political rivalries.
Earlier this month, the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Reza Enayati, confirmed that Iran had signed security agreements with some countries of the region. Saudi Arabia is one of them.
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The two Persian Gulf countries severed their ties in 2016 when a charged mob of Iranian protestors stormed the Saudi diplomatic missions in Tehran and Mashhad after the execution of a Shia cleric, Shaikh Nimr al-Nimr, by Riyadh.
After a lull of five years, the two sides were brought by the Iraqi government to table talk for the resolution of disputes and misperceptions and establish diplomatic relations again.
Last December, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan hinted that the Kingdom is ready to resume dialogue with Iran, as also confirmed by the Iranian Foreign Minister, Hussain Amir Abdullahian.
Baghdad is acting as a go-between Tehran and Riyadh for these negotiations.
The fifth and last round of these negotiations was held in April 2021.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fawad Hussain, in July 2022 announced that the Iraqi government would host a public meeting between the foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia to redress of their bilateral problems.