Saudi Arabia and Iran intensify their reengagement

The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia, two long-time regional rivals, have agreed to reopen their respective embassies and consulates during talks in Beijing. Tehran and Riyadh made a surprise announcement on the normalization of diplomatic ties last month, with Beijing mediating the effort. A joint statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry detailed a number of measures, including the upcoming reopening of diplomatic missions. The Iranian ambassador to China told journalists that the embassies and consulates would open their doors “soon”, according to the Iranian news agency ISNA. The two ministers also pledged to continue reengagement in other areas, such as direct flights, issuing travel visas, commerce, and security cooperation. Iran and Saudi Arabia were described as “brotherly nations” in the statement, thanking China for hosting them and Switzerland for its role in representing the interests of the two nations.