Saudi Foreign Minister in Tehran; Farhan Emphasizes 'Maritime Security Guarantees'

On Saturday, June 17, the foreign ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated in a joint press conference in Tehran after their meeting and discussions. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed happiness over Prince Faisal bin Farhan's visit to Tehran, approximately 100 days after the Iran-Saudi agreement, adding that during this time, ambassadors from both countries have been appointed and administrative procedures for their establishment in the capitals are underway. Amir-Abdollahian thanked Saudi Arabia for assisting in the reopening of the Islamic Republic's diplomatic missions in the country, stating that Iran has also made necessary arrangements and facilities for the reopening of Saudi diplomatic missions. The importance of forming joint economic, political, and border committees and combating drug trafficking were other topics discussed by the heads of the diplomatic apparatuses of Iran and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Foreign Minister also stated in this joint press conference that 'mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of the two countries and commitment to the UN Charter,' considering the national interests of both countries, will be at the center of bilateral relations. Prince Faisal bin Farhan also referred to 'the discussions between the two countries regarding cooperation on ensuring maritime security and reducing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.' Some Iranian domestic news agencies reported that Faisal bin Farhan refused to stand in a location where a photo of Qassem Soleimani was behind him, and this press conference was held in another hall. However, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry deemed the media speculation regarding the change of the location for the talks between the foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia as unfounded. Nasser Kanaani attributed the reason for this change to 'a technical problem and the impossibility of execution' at the previously designated location. This is the first visit of the Saudi Foreign Minister after the severance of relations between the two countries in 2015. Diplomatic relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were cut off in January 2016 following an attack on the Saudi embassy and consulate in Iran. Tehran and Beijing reached an agreement in March last year, mediated by China in Beijing, to restore relations and reopen embassies within two months after several rounds of negotiations in Iraq and Oman. Recently, on June 6 and 7, the Iranian embassy in Riyadh and the consulate general and representative office of Iran in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah were officially opened with the presence of Alireza Beikdeli, Deputy Consular, Parliamentary Affairs, and Iranians Abroad, and Saudi officials. The foreign ministers of the Islamic Republic and Saudi Arabia met and discussed once in Beijing and again in Cape Town after the two countries agreed to resume bilateral relations at the end of March last year. Last week, Nasser Kanaani, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated regarding the reopening of Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran: 'We will soon witness the visit of the Saudi Foreign Minister to Tehran, and based on the preliminary steps taken by the Saudi delegation in Iran, we believe that we will soon see the opening of the Saudi embassy and consulate in Iran.' In recent days, some media in Iran reported that one of the floors of the 'Espinas Palace' hotel in Tehran is being allocated to Saudi Arabia to use for its embassy affairs until the embassy building is operational. The Saudi embassy building in Tehran was burned and destroyed in an attack eight years ago, and as a result, Saudi officials stated that they currently cannot use the embassy building, and therefore, until the situation of the building is resolved, the embassy will be located in the hotel. The evacuated Saudi embassy building in Tehran was located in the Niavaran area (northeast of the capital). The Saudi Foreign Minister arrived in Tehran. The U.S. and the Gulf Cooperation Council have urged Iran to 'fully cooperate' with the agency. 'Achieving sustainable peace in the Persian Gulf'; Antony Blinken announced before the Gulf Cooperation Council meeting. Strengthening strategic cooperation between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia; Blinken arrived in Riyadh. The Islamic Republic of Iran's embassy in Saudi Arabia has reopened. Exclusive; U.S. reaction to the reopening of the Iranian embassy in Saudi Arabia: We have long been advocates of diplomacy. The Islamic Republic of Iran's embassy in Saudi Arabia will 'reopen' this week. An Iranian military official: Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE will form a maritime coalition.