Iran views Saudi Arabia as an exceptionally significant strategic partner and aims to enhance its relations with the kingdom, stated Alireza Enayati, the Iranian ambassador to Riyadh, in his inaugural interview with the Asharq Al Awsat newspaper.
"We view Saudi Arabia as an exceptionally vital strategic partner. The progress made over the past six months instills confidence in our future prospects. We are genuinely committed to advancing Iran-Saudi relations, and we perceive a similar dedication from our counterparts. I bear a substantial responsibility to nurture and enhance our bilateral ties, harnessing them for the betterment of the entire Middle East region. This should serve the interests of both our nations and be founded on the principle of mutual respect between our countries," Enayati emphasized.
Enayati also highlighted that he had been received by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi just before departing for Riyadh to fulfill his diplomatic responsibilities. During their conversation, the Iranian president urged Enayati to exert his utmost efforts in fostering friendly and even fraternal relations between Tehran and Riyadh.
The Iranian ambassador arrived in Saudi Arabia on September 5, where he was greeted by Saudi officials and staff from the Iranian embassy, which resumed operations on June 6. Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry released a statement on the same day, announcing the arrival of its ambassador to Iran, Abdullah bin Saud al-Anazi, who had been representing the kingdom's interests in Oman since 2021.
Relations between Riyadh and Tehran became strained in March 2015 when the Saudi-led coalition launched a military campaign in Yemen against the Ansar Allah movement (Houthis). Following the attacks on the Saudi embassy in Tehran in January 2016, the kingdom severed diplomatic ties with Iran. However, on March 10 of this year, Tehran and Riyadh reached an agreement to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies within a two-month timeframe.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Based on materials from TASS