Kuwait sends first envoy to Iran in 6 years, Tehran announces

Move comes following regional downgrade in ties in 2016, after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran in wake of Riyadh’s execution of cleric Nimr al-Nimr

Illustrative: The Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah performs the constitutional oath at the Kuwaiti National Assembly, in Kuwait, September 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Jaber Abdulkhaleg, File)
Illustrative: The Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah performs the constitutional oath at the Kuwaiti National Assembly, in Kuwait, September 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Jaber Abdulkhaleg, File)

TEHRAN, Iran — Kuwait has sent its first ambassador to Tehran since a downgrading of relations in 2016, Iran has announced.

Kuwait recalled its ambassador and the United Arab Emirates downgraded relations with Iran after Saudi Arabia that year cut ties with its regional rival, with Bahrain following suit.

That came after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran following Riyadh’s execution of Shiite Muslim cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

Badr Abdullah al-Munikh, Kuwait’s new ambassador, has presented his letter of credential to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the official IRNA news agency reported on Saturday night.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have had no diplomatic relations for six years, but have held talks, hosted by Iraq, since April last year, in a bid to mend ties.

The UAE said in July it was “considering” appointing an ambassador to Tehran, which Iran said it expected “soon.”

About one-third of Kuwait’s local population belongs to the Shiite branch of Islam, as do most Iranians.

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