Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the foreign minister of Iran, visited Lebanon on Friday and voiced optimism that talks between the two regional enemies might lead to the restoration of diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Tehran.
After demonstrators attacked its embassies in Tehran and Mashhad following Riyadh’s death of Shia preacher Nimr al-Nimr, Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Iran in January 2016.
“Diplomatic missions or embassies in Tehran and Riyadh will reopen within the context of communication that should continue between the two nations,” Amir-Abdollahian said during a news conference in Beirut.
He also praised a prospective reconciliation between Turkey and Syria, an ally of Iran, following a meeting of their military ministers last month.
In a number of regional crises, notably the Syrian crisis, Iran and Saudi Arabia support opposite parties.
Since April 2021, Iraq has hosted several talks to bridge the divide between the two sides. However, recent negotiations have stagnated, and no sessions have been made public since April 2022.
Iran, which also provides backing to armed organizations in Iraq and Lebanon, dominates political life in both countries.
On Friday, Amir-Abdollahian met with representatives, including the interim prime minister Najib Mikati and his counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib.
According to a statement from the Tehran-backed organisation, the two discussed “potential concerns emerging from the creation of a government of corrupt people and radicals” in Israel during their meeting with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
‘Dialogue’
Late in December, Lebanon’s southern neighbour, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ushered in the most right-wing administration in its history.
The action has raised concerns about escalating military conflict in the Israeli-occupied West Bank as well as about heightened tensions between Israel and Palestinian parties.
Saudi Arabia intends to fuel its nuclear reactors with local uranium.
At a time when relations between Syria and Turkey are improving. The pro-government Al-Watan newspaper in Syria reported. That Amir-Abdollahian was scheduled to visit ally Damascus on Saturday.
Amir-Abdollahian declared that they are pleased with the dialogue that is taking place between Syria and Turkey.
“We think that this dialogue should have favourable effects for these two countries,”
Syrian President Bashar al-opponents Assad’s have long had the support of Ankara.
However, relations between Syria and Turkey are starting to warm up. After more than a decade of conflict. That has seen Damascus reclaim territory with the assistance of Russia and Iran.
Syria’s and Turkey’s defence ministers met for the first time since 2011 to conduct historic negotiations in Moscow in late December.
Assad had stated on Thursday. A reconciliation with Turkey mediated by Moscow should strive to “put an end to the occupation” of areas of Syria by Ankara.
According to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Meetings between the three nations’ senior diplomats will take place. After the meeting of the defence ministers.
Ankara indirectly controls areas where leaders and sympathizers of the Syrian opposition primarily live. They are terrified by the proposed rapprochement.