Iran to reopen embassy in Saudi Arabia following years of severed diplomatic ties
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Iran is set to reopen its embassy in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, after seven years of severed diplomatic ties between the two Middle Eastern powers, i24 News reports. Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran in 2016, after its embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad were attacked by demonstrators protesting Riyadh’s execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
The two countries decided to normalize relations again following an unexpected China-brokered agreement deal that was sealed on March 10, i24News reports.
“Following talks, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have agreed to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies and missions within two months,” Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported in March.
“The opening of the Iranian embassy will take place Tuesday at 6:00 pm local time (1500 GMT) with the presence of the newly appointed Iranian ambassador” to Saudi Arabia, a diplomatic source in Riyadh told AFP.
The Iranian embassy in Riyadh will be led by ambassador Alireza Enayati, who previously served as Iran’s envoy to Kuwait, i24News said. Riyadh has not yet confirmed when it will open an embassy in Tehran, or who its ambassador will be.
If you are interested in articles produced by Worthy News, please check out our FREE sydication service available to churches or online Christian ministries. To find out more, visit Worthy Plugins.