An Iranian delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Tehran said, to pave the way for reopening diplomatic missions as the Gulf rivals prepare to normalise relations, seven years after an acrimonious split.
\nThe announcement came just days after a Saudi delegation made a similar visit to Iran\u2019s capital, following a historic meeting in China between the two governments\u2019 foreign ministers who vowed to bring stability to the turbulent region.
\n\u201cIn accordance with the implementation of the agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia on the resumption of diplomatic activities\u2026 the Iranian technical delegation arrived in Riyadh at midday Wednesday and was welcomed by Saudi officials,\u201d said Iran\u2019s foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani.
\n\u201cThe Iranian delegation will take the necessary steps to reopen the embassy in Riyadh and the consulate general in Jeddah as well as the activities of Iran\u2019s permanent representative in the (Jeddah-based) Organisation of Islamic Cooperation,\u201d he said in a statement.
\nIran\u2019s President Ebrahim Raisi has been invited to Saudi Arabia, according to Tehran. It would be the first trip by an Iranian president to Saudi Arabia since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2012 travelled to Mecca where he attended a regional meeting.
\nThe flurry of diplomatic activity follows last month\u2019s landmark, Chinese-brokered announcement that Iran and Saudi Arabia, who have backed opposing sides in conflicts around the Middle East, would work towards resuming ties.
\nRiyadh broke off relations in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the execution of Saudi Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr \u2013 one in a series of flashpoints between the long-time foes.
\nSince the March 10 announcement, the two countries\u2019 foreign ministers have met in China and a Saudi technical delegation met Iran\u2019s chief of protocol in Tehran last week, according to the official Saudi Press Agency.
\nThe Saudi delegation, which arrived in Tehran on Saturday, is due to fly on to Iran\u2019s second city Mashhad on Thursday, Kanani said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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