Iran's Embassy in Saudi Arabia Reopened

Media in Saudi Arabia reported that Iran reopened its embassy in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. This development comes a few months after an agreement between the two countries to end a deep diplomatic rift. The agreement between Tehran and Riyadh was brokered by China, which is seeking to expand its influence in the Middle East. Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore their relations last March after years of hostility that threatened stability in the Middle East and fueled regional conflicts, including in Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon. Seven years ago, Saudi Arabia severed its ties with Iran following an attack by supporters and agents of the Islamic Republic on the Saudi embassy in Tehran. This attack occurred after the execution of a Saudi Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia also holds the Islamic Republic responsible for missile and drone attacks on its oil facilities in 2019, as well as attacks on tankers in the waters of the Persian Gulf. The Islamic Republic has denied these allegations despite various evidence. The news of the reopening of Iran's embassy in Saudi Arabia comes on the same day that it was reported that Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, is traveling to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday with the aim of stabilizing and improving Washington's relations with Riyadh. The trip aims to improve relations; the U.S. Secretary of State is going to Saudi Arabia. Exclusive; U.S. reaction to the reopening of Iran's embassy in Saudi Arabia: We have long been advocates of diplomacy.