Iran FM holds ‘important’ talks on first visit to Saudi Arabia in years

Amir-Abdollahian touched on economic and security cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, saying that ties between the two countries “are progressing in the right direction”.

He is reciprocating a visit by his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan in June, part of a rapprochement process which began in March when the two nations reached an agreement to mend fences with Chinese mediation.

“Our meeting today is a continuation of steps taken towards implementing the agreement to resume diplomatic relations, which represents a pivotal platform in the history of the two countries and the path of regional security,” Prince Faisal said at a joint news conference with Amir-Abdollahian on Thursday.

Amir-Abdollahian’s trip to Riyadh comes as the two nations are reopening diplomatic missions in each others’ countries. He was accompanied by Alireza Enayati, Iran’s new ambassador to the kingdom.

“Iran and Saudi Arabia are two important countries in the region of Western Asia and the Islamic world. Both sides are determined to expand our relations in all fields,” the Iranian foreign minister said.

“Fortunately, today’s relations between the two countries are in the right direction and progress is being made.”

Amir-Abdollahian said the two countries have a consensus on implementing existing agreements between the two countries, including in the areas of security, trade, economy and other topics of interest.

“We are in agreement to define a format and framework where the foreign ministries of the two countries will follow up relations through the formation of various technical and specialized committees.”

The top Iranian diplomat highlighted that the Islamic Republic believes security in the region must be ensured through reliance on local capabilities, stating that Iran stretches out a hand of cooperation to neighboring countries.

“Within such a framework, we have planned promotion of solid relations with other countries like Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates apart from restoration of ties with the friendly and neighboring Saudi Arabia.

“We believe that the idea of achieving security and development in the region is an idea that cannot be fragmented. We believe the issue of ​​regional security and development is interrelated and belongs to all actors in the region,” Amir-Abdollahian said.

‘Monitoring movements of Zionist entity’

The top Iranian diplomat said Tehran and Riyadh believe the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has the capacity to act as an important actor in the international community.

Iran, he said, is determined to continue support for Palestine. ”We do not have any doubt that the Zionist entity is seeking to spread division, hostility and to occupy our region,” he said.

“We continue to monitor the movements of the Zionist entity with vigilance and awareness,” he added.

The Iranian foreign minister also pointed to the desecration of the Holy Qur’an in Europe, saying Iran and Saudi Arabia, along with other Muslim countries, share positions regarding lamentable insulting of Islam’s most revered book.

He also extended Iran’s profound gratitude to Saudi Arabia for cooperation and services to Iranian pilgrims during the Hajj pilgrimage, hoping that the minor Hajj pilgrimage will also resume in the near future.

President Raeisi’s visit to Saudi Arabia

Thursday’s meeting in the Saudi foreign ministry’s Islamic Solidarity Hall “will be a prelude to the meeting of the heads of the two countries”, Amir-Abdollahian said.

“We are sure that these meetings and cooperation will help the unity of the Islamic world,” he added, proposing a “regional dialogue”.

Prince Faisal said the kingdom hoped to see Iran’s President Ebrahim Raeisi visit the kingdom following King Salman bin Abdulaziz’s invitation, which he had communicated during the June visit. President Raeisi has said he would travel to the kingdom at the “appropriate time”.

Prince Faisal said the kingdom was keen to follow through with all main points of the China-brokered deal whether economic or political, adding the countries’ ambassadors will start in their positions in their respective embassies after their reopening.

In June, Iran officially reopened its embassy in Saudi Arabia and Iranian media reported earlier this month that the kingdom’s embassy in Tehran had resumed operations.

Prince Faisal confirmed on Thursday that the Saudi embassy in Tehran has also resumed operations, which he described as “another step in the development of relations between the two countries”.

“We look forward to a new phase in our relationship based on our Islamic brotherhood and work towards common interests,” he said, adding that he welcomed Iran’s endorsement of Riyadh’s bid to host Expo 2030.

Earlier in the day, Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart discussed the relations between Tehran and Riyadh, issues of mutual interest concerning the Muslim world, as well as regional and international developments.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L) meets with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on August 17, 2023.

Heading a delegation, Amir-Abdollahian has traveled to Riyadh for an official visit at the official invitation of the Saudi foreign minister.

Enayati, Iran’s new ambassador to Saudi Arabia, is accompanying the foreign minister in the trip and is scheduled to officially start his mission in the Saudi capital.

Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed in Beijing on March 10 to resume relations and reopen diplomatic missions within two months.

In a joint statement after signing the agreement, Tehran and Riyadh highlighted the need to respect the national sovereignty of one another and refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the respective countries.

They also agreed to implement a security cooperation agreement signed in April 2001 and another accord reached in May 1998 to boost economic, commercial, investment, technical, scientific, cultural, sports, and youth affairs cooperation.