Iran officially invited Saudi King Salman to visit Tehran, following a recent agreement to reconcile their relationship. The two nations had severed ties in 2016 after Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad were attacked during protests over the execution of a Shiite cleric.
The agreement to restore relations was reached in March in China after several rounds of dialogue in Iraq and Oman. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had already received an invitation to visit Saudi Arabia. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman expressed hope that the two countries would reopen their diplomatic missions by May 9th as scheduled, enabling Iranian pilgrims to attend the hajj pilgrimage in late June.
Delegations from both sides have already visited their respective embassies and consulates to launch the reopening process, with the foreign ministers expected to meet again before the official reopening. Before the agreement, Iran and Saudi Arabia had supported opposing sides in conflicts across the region, including Yemen.
The recent developments in the relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia mark a significant shift in their approach towards each other. The reconciliation agreement, brokered by China, represents a step towards ending years of bitter rivalry and hostility between the two Middle Eastern powerhouses.
This is crucial for resolving the ongoing conflicts in the region, such as the war in Yemen, where both Iran and Saudi Arabia have been backing opposing sides.
The invitation from Iran to Saudi King Salman to visit Tehran is a significant gesture of goodwill towards Saudi Arabia. If accepted, it would be the first visit by a Saudi king to Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
However, it is important to note that the path towards full reconciliation is likely to be long and challenging. The two countries have deep-rooted differences on issues such as regional influence, the role of Islam in politics, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Furthermore, there are hardliners on both sides who are opposed to rapprochement and may attempt to derail the process.
