Webdesk: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan visited Tehran on Saturday. It is for the first time since both countries resumed diplomatic ties in January.
Al Jazeera reported that Hossein Amirabdollahian welcomed the Saudi foreign minister at the Iranian foreign ministry before bilateral talks.
Prince Faisal also met Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on his historic trip.
The two officials applauded the diplomatic reestablishment at the news briefing.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has never equated security with militarism, and considers security to be a comprehensive concept. Which includes political, economic, cultural, trade and social dimensions between all the countries of the region,” Amirabdollahian said.
The Iranian foreign minister said he and his Saudi counterpart discussed trade and other matters.
The Saudi FM stated mutual respect, non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs, and dedication to the UN charter will be the foundation of bilateral relations going ahead to protect both nations’ interests.
He also noted the two countries’ negotiations on maritime security and minimising WMD proliferation.
Saudi Arabia suspended ties with Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad stormed. It was during protests over Riyadh’s death of Shia preacher Nimr al-Nimr.
In March, a Chinese-brokered arrangement reopened the embassies of the two countries, changing regional relations.
Iran’s government spokesperson Ali Bahadori Jahromi said local media Prince Faisal expected to “take some measures” to reopen the Saudi diplomatic presence in Tehran during the visit.
Saudi Arabia’s embassy and consulates reopened June 6.
On Saturday, the Iranian Sazandegi daily stated that the Saudi embassy would reopen in a Tehran hotel before moving to Tehran.
