Riyadh Asks for Three Weekly Flights Between Iran, Saudi Arabia

Iran’s Roads and Urban Development Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash said that Saudi Arabia has requested launch of ree weekly flights between the two countries amid an improvement in bilateral relations between Tehran and Riyadh.

Bazrpash stated on Sunday that Saudi authorities had asked Iran to launch three regular flights per week to the Arab country.

“The flights will be launched regardless of arrangements existing between the two countries about flights carrying Iranian pilgrims to hajj ceremony in Saudi Arabia,” he added.

“Launching flights between Iran and Saudi Arabia, in addition to hajj flights, has been taken into consideration in order to expand collaborations,” the minister continued, noting that Tehran will do its best to launch the flights.

The announcement comes amid plans by Iran and Saudi Arabia to reopen embassies and to restore diplomatic relations some seven years after the two countries cut their official ties.

During a telephone conversation with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian described his recent meeting with bin Farhan as well as the exchange of technical delegations tasked with reopening the embassies of the two countries as “positive and constructive”.

“My colleagues at the Foreign Ministry and the delegation sent to Riyadh and Jeddah are trying reopen the Embassy and consulate general of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Saudi Arabia as scheduled and before the Hajj season,” he added.

Bin Farhan, for his part, expressed hope that the two top diplomats will soon meet each other in Tehran and Riyadh.

The senior official stated that Saudi Arabia will provide the necessary facilities for Iranian Hajj pilgrims and for the purpose of reopening the Iranian Embassy and consulate general in Riyadh and Jeddah.

Iran and Saudi Arabia announced on March 10 a Chinese-brokered deal to restore ties seven years after they were severed. In a joint statement after signing the agreement, Tehran and Riyadh highlighted the need to respect each others’ national sovereignty and refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of one another.

Back in early April, Amir Abdollahian and bin Farhan met in China in the first formal meeting of the two countries’ top diplomats in seven years. They issued a joint statement following the long-awaited meeting, voicing their readiness to reopen embassies and work toward establishing security and stability in West Asia.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kana’ani has also said that President Ebrahim Rayeesi has invited Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for an official visit.

President Rayeesi has extended an invitation to King Salman to visit Tehran, the spokesperson told reporters, noting that the Iranian president has offered to reciprocally host the Saudi king after receiving an invitation to visit Riyadh.

He stated that Tehran and Riyadh are pushing to implement their agreements on re-opening of embassies and that the missions will begin operation no later than May 9.