Iran Reassured with Reestablishment of Ties with Saudi Arabia: An Impetus for Islamic World

Al-Aiban and Shamkhani during the Beijing negotiations on Friday. (Reuters)
Al-Aiban and Shamkhani during the Beijing negotiations on Friday. (Reuters)
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Iran Reassured with Reestablishment of Ties with Saudi Arabia: An Impetus for Islamic World

Al-Aiban and Shamkhani during the Beijing negotiations on Friday. (Reuters)
Al-Aiban and Shamkhani during the Beijing negotiations on Friday. (Reuters)

Iranian officials welcomed the reestablishment of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia after seven years of diplomatic estrangement.

Official Iranian media reported on Friday that the agreement between the two countries came after talks that began on Monday in Beijing at the initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The official IRNA news agency said that as a result of talks between Ali Shamkhani, Secretary General of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and Musaid Al Aiban, Saudi National Security Adviser, Minister of State and member of the Council of Ministers, the two countries agreed to restore diplomatic ties and reopen their respective embassies within two months.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said on Twitter that the return of “normal relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia provides great impetus for the two countries, the region and the Islamic world.”

He continued: “Neighborhood policy, as the main focus of the government’s foreign policy... is moving strongly in the right direction, and the diplomacy is actively preparing more regional steps.”

Nour News agency reported that Shamkhani praised China for its role in rebuilding diplomatic relations between Tehran and Riyadh.

The agency quoted Shamkhani as saying that the two delegations “conducted frank, transparent, comprehensive and constructive negotiations.”

The official contacted Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, thanking him for his country’s efforts in hosting five rounds of talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran, according to the state-run ISNA news agency.

Saudi Arabia severed relations with Iran in 2016 after the storming of its embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad.

Current and former Iranian officials and activists have expressed their satisfaction with the restoration of relations between Tehran and Riyadh.

Reformist activist Abdollah Ramezanzadeh, a former spokesman for the Iranian government during the tenure of President Mohammad Khatami, wrote that the agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran was a significant step for regional security.

The announcement of the agreement had an immediate impact on the currency market in Iran. ISNA reported that the price of the dollar fell to IRR 477,000 in the unofficial market, after it crossed the barrier of IRR 510,000 on Wednesday.



Trump Arrives in Qatar after Historic Riyadh Visit

US President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2025. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2025. (Reuters)
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Trump Arrives in Qatar after Historic Riyadh Visit

US President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2025. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2025. (Reuters)

US President Donald Trump arrived in Doha on Wednesday on the second leg of his Gulf tour that he started in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

He was welcomed upon his arrival by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Meeting later at the Royal Palace in Doha, Trump and Sheikh Tamim signed economic and defense agreements.

The first had Qatar buying airplanes from Boeing, the American aerospace company whose chief executive attended the event. Trump said it was the largest order of jets in the company history, worth over $200 billion.

Next up was a defense deal and the purchase of military drones.

The final cooperation agreement was signed by Trump and Al Thani themselves.

Before departing to Doha, Trump sat down for a historic meeting with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh.

Trump said the rapprochement with Syria came at the urging of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“There is a new government that will hopefully succeed,” said Trump, who announced he'll move to lift sanctions on Syria to give the country “a chance at peace.”