Iran is set to reopen its diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday after seven years of closure. A diplomatic source told the AFP news agency that the Chinese-brokered mutual agreement announced in March had been sealed.
Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran and consulate in the northwestern city of Mashhad were attacked. The attacks were carried out during Riyadh's protest against the execution of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr. Iran's diplomatic mission, which was expelled by Saudi authorities, will return to Saudi Arabia under the leadership of Ali Reza Inayati, who previously served as Iran's ambassador to Kuwait.
Saudi Arabia has not yet confirmed when it will reopen its embassy in Tehran or appoint an ambassador. Ali Reza Inayati was appointed ambassador to Saudi Arabia by Iran last month. According to Iranian media reports, he previously served as Assistant Foreign Minister and Director General of Gulf Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
After years of disagreement, the two Middle East heavyweights signed a surprise reconciliation agreement in China on March 10. Since then, Saudi Arabia has restored ties with Tehran's ally Syria and stepped up efforts for peace in Yemen.
