Saudi Arabia invites Iranian president to visit in latest sign of rapprochement

Saudi Arabia has invited Iran’s President Ibrahim Raisi for an official visit, according to its foreign minister, in the latest sign of a rapprochement between the regional rivals that has sought to restore diplomatic ties and ease longstanding tensions. agreed to do.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Saturday became the first senior Saudi official to visit Tehran in nearly two decades.

Relations between the two countries should be based on “mutual respect”, “non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs”, “security of shipping corridors as well as non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction”. Conference with his Iranian counterpart.

He said he would later meet Raisi to convey his greetings on behalf of Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and pass on their invitation to visit Riyadh.

“We hope that the resumption of relations will have a positive impact on both countries, the region and the entire Islamic world,” according to a translation published in Farsi.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabadolhian told a news conference that Saturday’s talks focused on “sustainable economic cooperation” and joint ventures, especially by the private sectors of the two countries.

“For the Islamic Republic, security does not equate to militarization . . . but includes political, economic and trade relations between regional countries.

Saudi Arabia and Iran – which are dominated by Sunni and Shia Muslims respectively – agreed to restore diplomatic ties in March in a landmark agreement signed in China. The move ended a seven-year rift that had stoked tensions in the Islamic world.

While both states have not yet appointed ambassadors, Iran reopened its embassy in Riyadh earlier this month; The Saudi diplomats are currently based in a hotel in northwestern Tehran. It was damaged after the Saudi embassy was attacked in 2016 by fundamentalist groups protesting the execution of a dissident Shia cleric. After that incident, Riyadh severed ties with Tehran.

The improvement in ties has raised hopes it could help end the Yemen war, which was launched by a Saudi-led coalition in 2015 after Iran-backed Houthi rebels captured much of the country. Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of supporting the rebels and targeting it and its coalition partner the United Arab Emirates with drone and missile attacks.

Iran has recently eased tensions with the United Arab Emirates, agreeing last year to redeploy its ambassador to Tehran.

“Iran seeks to resolve its regional issues to increase the efficiency of the political system and address its economic problems,” said a regime figure with knowledge of the government’s thinking.

“Mohammed bin Salman – with his long-term development plans – needs agreement (with Iran) not to have Houthis missiles every day. He is also looking to pave the way for Saudi investment in Iran. This benefits us too Happens,” the person said. “Both Iran and Saudi Arabia twisted each other’s ears (but) now it’s time for cooperation.”