RESIDENTS of Tehran reacted to Iran and Saudi Arabia‘s resumption of diplomatic relations and reopening of their embassies after years of tensions.
“It is better if we have friendly ties with our neighbors considering the US and western countries enthusiastically desire to have their own bases in Iran’s neighbouring countries in order to have dominance on Iran politically, and if friendly ties are constructed between Iran and its neighbouring countries, US will not achieve its objective.”
“I think the most important subject regarding relations with Saudi Arabia is Hajj. I think the resumption of Iran-Saudi Arabia ties is the best news for our people who are waiting for their turn in the Hajj line. I think the Hajj part is the most important part for the public and from a political view the resumption of ties will help decrease tensions.”
Meanwhile, one Tehran resident highlighted the positive meaning of the restoration of ties for Yemen.
“This signed agreement and contract [statement on resumption of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia] can have a positive point and that positive point can be indicated by halting the war in Yemen to the world.”
Iran and Saudi Arabia are expected to reopen embassies and exchange ambassadors within two months after both sides agreed to restore severed relations during recent talks in Beijing.
The successful talks held on Friday showed representatives inside the meeting room, with flags of Iran, China, and Saudi Arabia in the background.
China played a major role in sealing the agreement after Iran and Saudi Arabia tried for years to come up with a potential reconciliation, Beijing’s role in the agreement likely signals a tremendous diplomatic victory, especially as it also positioned itself as a possible mediator between Russia and Ukraine.
After the gathering, Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Musaid al Aiban, Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia, and Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist Party, Gathered and posed for pictures.
“It has been six days since I am in Beijing, and I had negotiations in this regard with my Saudi counterpart,” said Sec. Ali Shamkhani, Supreme National Security Council of Iran.
We have finally come to this conclusion to have a new season with each other after seven years of having no relation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia through respecting both countries’ interests, regional security, benevolence for the region, and the prevention of unnecessary intervention by trans-regional forces, specifically the west, as well as continuing mischiefs of the Zionist regime in the region.
We hope that this modern age could compensate for the lag caused by having no relation during these seven years and also bring stability and security to the region and develop the welfare of all regional nations, and Islamic countries could benefit more from this agreement than regional nations.
The two great oil-producing rivals of the Middle East severed diplomatic ties after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran in 2016.
Tensions between Shia Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia have dominated Middle East politics in recent years and have spread into Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen.
The agreement reflects Saudi Arabia’s determination to conduct a foreign policy independent of western influence.
Moreover, it could potentially create an impact on the Iran nuclear deal and the civil war in Yemen.
Aside from re-establishing ties and exchanging ambassadors, the two countries had agreed to respect state sovereignty and not interfere in each other’s internal affairs.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that the destination of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia provides great capacities to the two countries, the region, and the Islamic world.
“The return of normal relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia provides great capacities to the two countries, the region, and the Islamic world,” said Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Foreign Minister of Iran.
