Media: Iranian diplomats resume work in Jeddah

17 January 2022


Several Iranian diplomats resume their work at the office of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which is located in the Saudi city of Jeddah, the Iranian news agency ISNA reported on Monday.


According to its information, "three Iranian diplomats received visas to enter Saudi Arabia." The diplomats "have already flown to Jeddah and are expected to resume their activities in the OIC after a six-year break."


It is pointed out that the agreement to allow diplomats from Iran to enter Saudi Arabia was reached during another round of talks between Saudi and Iranian representatives held in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.


To date, four rounds of talks between Tehran and Riyadh have taken place in Baghdad. In addition, the sides have been in contact on the margins of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York. The dialogue focused on bilateral and regional issues, including the situation in the Persian Gulf and Yemen. On June 21, 2021, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated that there were no obstacles to dialogue between Tehran and Riyadh and the reopening of embassies.


Relations between the two countries deteriorated seriously in March 2015 when the Saudi-led coalition launched a military operation in Yemen against Ansar Allah (Houthis), which is still continuing. Iran considers these actions of the kingdom as a destabilization of the situation in the region. Riyadh accuses Tehran of supporting the Houthis, who are also using their weapons, including drones, against Saudi Arabia.

 

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic world"

Photo: Creative Commons

Based on materials from TASS