This handout picture provided by the Iranian foreign ministry shows Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (2nd L) shaking hands with Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (R) exchange folders next to Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (L) during a meeting in Beijing on April 6, 2023. (Photo by Iranian Foreign Ministry / AFP)
Beijing: Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed Thursday to reopen diplomatic missions in their respective capitals and in additional cities, Iran's semiofficial news agency said.
ISNA reported the foreign ministers reached the agreement in Beijing.
The deal calls for studying the prospects of resuming flights between the two nations and facilitating the visa process for the citizens of both countries. Saudi Arabia and Iran are long-time regional rivals, but have moved toward reconciliation as part of a deal brokered by China last month.
There was no immediate official confirmation of the ISNA report.
The agreement represents a new step toward reconciliation after seven years of tension, and lowers the chance of armed conflict between the Mideast rivals - both directly and in proxy conflicts around the region.
The deal was brokered by Beijing.
On Thursday morning, Saudi Arabia's state-run Al-Ekhbariya TV showed Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian shaking hands and sitting side by side. Iran's state TV said the two ministers met to discuss the details of reopening embassies.
It was the first formal meeting of senior diplomats from the two nations since 2016.
