Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has arrived in Saudi Arabia. This is the first visit of the Iranian foreign minister to the kingdom after the restoration of diplomatic relations between the countries, Ednews informs referring to Interfax.
The minister is leading a delegation of Iranian dignitaries. He plans to meet with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and some other influential representatives of the kingdom’s authorities to discuss international and regional issues.
Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia deteriorated sharply in 2016 after Nimr al-Nimr, an influential Shiite theologian who criticized the Saudi monarchy, was executed in Riyadh. After that demonstrators in Tehran attacked the Saudi embassy, and, in response, Riyadh severed diplomatic relations with Iran.
In March of this year, Iran and Saudi Arabia, mediated by China, agreed to restore diplomatic relations.
The parties have appointed diplomats - Iranian Ambassador to Riyadh Alireza Enayati will begin his official duties during Abdollahian’s visit.
The Saudi Embassy in Tehran and the Consulate General in Mashhad earlier resumed their operations.