Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, said on Monday that last week’s visit by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to Tehran marked a “turning point” in relations between the two countries.
“We entered a new era of relations with the visit of the Saudi defense minister,” Enayati said in an interview, adding that the future of Iranian-Saudi ties is promising. He also noted the successful development in relations between both countries since restoring diplomatic ties.
Prince Khalid met last week with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran, where he delivered a letter from King Salman.
During his trip, Prince Khalid also met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian, and chief of staff of the armed forces Mohammad Bagheri.
“We want to build a promising and bright future for our region, and this requires cooperation, togetherness, and collaboration among its countries, especially between Iran and Saudi Arabia,” Enayati said.
In March 2023, Saudi Arabia and Iran announced that they had reached an agreement, brokered by China, to reestablish diplomatic relations after seven years of no formal ties. The Kingdom had severed ties with Iran in 2016 following attacks by pro-regime protesters on its embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad.
