Iran-Saudi Arabia relations improving after deal: China

BEIJING: Chinese foreign minister has said that Iran and Saudi Arabia have continued to take steps to improve relations, leading to the formation of a “wave of reconciliation” in the Middle East, after a deal was brokered by China.

China “appreciates the correct decision made by the Iranian side”, Minister Wang Yi said in a statement on Monday, adding that China will continue to support Middle East countries to explore development in line with their own national conditions.

Mr Wang also said that only by restoring the integrity and effective implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action can the Iranian nuclear issue be fundamentally resolved.

The Chinese foreign minister had a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and said that Beijing appreciated Iran’s recent steps to improve ties with Saudi Arabia, including his meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah.

Wang also pledged to “continue to support countries in the Middle East in exploring a development path that suits their own national conditions, strengthening communication and dialogue, adhering to unity and self-improvement, and realizing good-neighbourliness and friendship,” state media reported.

The thaw in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, brokered by China in March, followed years of bitter rivalry that had destabilized several Middle Easter countries. Under the deal, Tehran and Riyadh agreed to end a diplomatic rift and reestablish relations.

Saudi Arabia broke ties with Iran in 2016 after protesters attacked its embassy in Tehran in retaliation for Riyadh’s execution of a prominent Shia cleric.

Earlier this week, Iran’s foreign minister said both countries are making progress on mending ties after meeting with his Saudi counterpart in Riyadh.

“Relations between Tehran and Saudi are on the right track and we are witnessing progress,” Hossein Amirabdollahian said in a joint news conference with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan, adding that “the talks were successful”.

Prince Faisal said the kingdom hoped to see Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi visit the kingdom following King Salman bin Abdulaziz’s invitation, which he had communicated during the June visit. Raisi has said he would travel to the kingdom at the “appropriate time”.

Prince Faisal said the kingdom was keen to follow through with all main points of the China-brokered deal whether economic or political, adding the countries’ ambassadors will start in their positions in their respective embassies after their reopening.

In June, Iran officially reopened its embassy in Saudi Arabia and Iranian state media reported earlier this month that the kingdom’s embassy in Tehran had resumed operations.

“We look forward to a new phase in our relationship based on our Islamic brotherhood and work towards common interests,” Prince Faisal said, adding that he welcomed Iran’s endorsement of Riyadh’s bid to host Expo 2030.