Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed on Friday to restore diplomatic relations and reopen embassies after years of strained relations between the two countries. AP writes about it.
The agreement was signed this week in Beijing during the solemn National People's Congress.
Iranian state media released images and videos of the meeting, which they said were filmed in China. They showed Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, with a Saudi official and Wang Yi, China's top diplomat.
"After the implementation of the decision, the foreign ministers of both countries will meet to prepare for the exchange of ambassadors," Iranian state television said, adding that the talks lasted four days.
The joint statement calls for the restoration of ties and the opening of embassies "within a maximum of two months."
Iran's state news agency IRNA quoted Shamkhani as saying the talks were "clear, transparent, comprehensive and constructive."
"The elimination of misunderstandings and forward-looking views in relations between Tehran and Riyadh will certainly lead to increased regional stability and security, as well as increased cooperation between the Gulf countries and the Islamic world to solve current problems," Shamkhani said.
There was high tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The kingdom cut ties with Iran in 2016 after protesters stormed Saudi diplomatic facilities. A few days earlier, Saudi Arabia had executed a prominent Shiite cleric, sparking demonstrations.
Shiite-majority Iran and Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia support rivals in several conflict zones in the Middle East, including Yemen, where the Houthi rebels are backed by Tehran and Riyadh leads a military coalition that supports the government.
