In a surprise announcement on Friday, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed upon the restoration of diplomatic ties, within a period of two months.

The agreement comes after intensive talks held in the Chinese capital, Beijing.

“As a result of the talks, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to resume diplomatic relations and re-open embassies … within two months,” Iranian news agency IRNA reported on Friday. 

Reportedly, the deal was signed by: 

• Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council

• Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, the Saudi National Security Advisor

• Wang Yi, Director of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee. 

Following the negotiations, a trilateral statement was released by Saudi Arabia, Iran and China. 

"The three countries announce that an agreement has been reached between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, that includes an agreement to resume diplomatic relations between them and re-open their embassies and missions within a period not exceeding two months, and the agreement includes their affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs of states,” the joint statement said. 

“They also agreed that the ministers of foreign affairs of both countries shall meet to implement this, arrange for the return of their ambassadors, and discuss means of enhancing bilateral relations," it added. 

The statement further said that Tehran and Riyadh agreed two implement the 'Security Cooperation Agreement' between them, which was signed in 2001 and the 'General Agreement for Cooperation in the Fields of Economy, Trade, Investment, Technology, Science, Culture, Sports, and Youth,' which was signed in 1998.

The statement concluded, “The three countries expressed their keenness to exert all efforts towards enhancing regional and international peace and security.”

Notably, Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in 2016 when its embassy was stormed by angry Iranian protestors. Since then, relations between the two countries have been tense. Since April 2021, however, they started talks to repair their relations. 
 

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