Iran, Saudi Arabia to resume relations in China-brokered deal
The deal to resume diplomatic ties was brokered by China and follows Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to Beijing.
Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed to resume bilateral relations in a rare breakthrough brokered by China. The two countries will also reopen their embassies after years of a diplomatic freeze.
The agreement followed months of talks in China between delegations led by Saudi national security adviser Musaad Al-Aiban and his Iranian counterpart Ali Shamkhani. The intensified this week and were sponsored by Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to a joint statement from Saudi Arabia, Iran and China released by the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
Per the agreement, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to reopen their respective embassies within two months. The agreement also noted their "affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs of states." They also agreed to enhance bilateral relations in multiple sectors.
The statement thanked China as well as Iraq and Oman for sponsoring past talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia. It was signed by Aiban, Shamkhani and Wang Yi of the Chinese Communist Party's Political Bureau.
