Iranian, Saudi FMs Vow Cooperation to Bring Mideast “Stability”

The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia have held talks in Beijing for the first formal meeting of the two countries’ top diplomats in more than seven years, pledging to work together to bring "security and stability" to the region.

The April 6 meeting comes after Tehran and Riyadh agreed to re-open their diplomatic missions in a deal facilitated by China last month, following years of hostility that has fueled conflicts across the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian described the meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, as “good and forward-looking,” according to Iranian state television.

The two ministers said in a joint statement that they will launch arrangements to reopen embassies and consulates within the two-month period stipulated in the Beijing agreement.

“The technical teams will continue coordination to examine the ways of expanding cooperation including the resumption of flights and bilateral visits of official and private sector delegations and facilitating the granting of visas for the citizens of the two countries,” according to the statement.

Saudi Arabia, a US ally, broke off relations with Iran in 2016 after protesters stormed Saudi diplomatic posts in the country. The demonstrations were triggered by the execution of a prominent Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia.

Tensions have since risen dramatically across the Middle East, particularly after the United States unilaterally withdrew from a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers in 2018.

The Islamic Republic has been blamed for a series of attacks in the region in recent years, including one that targeted Saudi Arabia’s oil industry in 2019, temporarily halving the country’s crude production.

Iran and Saudi Arabia support rival sides in several conflict zones across the region, including in Yemen, where Shia Houthi rebels are backed by Tehran and Riyadh leads a military coalition supporting the government. The two sides also vie for influence in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq.