China brokers diplomatic deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran

Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed on Friday to re-establish diplomatic relations in a deal brokered by China, following four days of secret talks in Beijing.

Diplomats from Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to re-open embassies within the next two months, according to a statement. “The agreement includes their affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs,” said the statement that was signed by the two Middle Eastern countries as well as China..

Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran was stormed during a dispute between the two countries over Riyadh’s execution of a Shi’ite Muslim cleric.

Three years later, in 2019, Saudi Arabia blamed Iran for missile and drone attacks on its oil facilities as well as attacks on tankers. Iran denied the charges.

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement has also carried out cross-border missile and drone attacks into Saudi Arabia, which leads a coalition fighting the Houthis, and in 2022 extended the strikes to the United Arab Emirates.

Friday’s agreement, signed by Iran’s top security official, Ali Shamkhani, and Saudi Arabian national security adviser Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, vowed to restart a 2001 security cooperation pact, as well as another agreement aimed at trade and investment.

With Post Wires