After a seven-year hiatus, Iran is preparing to reopen its embassy in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, June 6, following a reconciliation deal brokered by China and announced in March, said the sources on Monday.
The reopening of the embassy marks a significant milestone in the restoration of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
The two countries severed relations in 2016 after Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad were attacked during protests over the execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
Iran’s diplomatic mission will be led by Alireza Enayati, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to Kuwait. Enayati’s appointment was announced last month by Iranian media. Prior to this role, he held positions as the assistant to the foreign minister and director general of Gulf affairs at the Iranian foreign ministry.
The reopening of the Iranian embassy in Saudi Arabia is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:00 pm local time (1500 GMT). The ceremony will be attended by the newly appointed Iranian ambassador to Saudi Arabia. However, Saudi Arabia has yet to confirm the timeline for reopening its embassy in Tehran or announce its choice for ambassador.
The reconciliation agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, signed on March 10, came as a surprise after years of discord between the two regional powerhouses. Since then, Saudi Arabia has restored ties with Syria, an ally of Iran, and intensified efforts for peace in Yemen, where it has led a military coalition against the Iran-backed Huthi rebels.
