Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrives in Riyadh, his first official Saudi trip since a landmark rapprochement in March, state media reports.
A Chinese-brokered deal saw the long-time rivals agreeing to restore diplomatic relations and reopen their respective embassies. Shiite-dominated Iran and Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia had severed ties in 2016 after Saudi diplomatic missions in the Islamic Republic were attacked during protests over Riyadh’s execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
Amir-Abdollahian “arrived at Riyadh Airport a few minutes ago for a one-day trip, and was welcomed by the deputy foreign minister of Saudi Arabia,” official news agency IRNA says.
The visit “is focusing on bilateral ties, regional and international issues,” according to IRIB state broadcaster.
IRNA says Amir-Abdollahian is due to meet with his Saudi counterpart and other officials in the kingdom. The minister is accompanied by the new Iranian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, the report adds.
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