ERNA reported this Wednesday evening about Gharibabadi’s visit to Saudi Arabia, stating that the purpose was to develop and enhance relations and coordination between the two countries, especially in areas related to international and regional multilateral organizations. Abadi mentioned that he discussed with the Saudi side various other issues and files, including important international issues, human rights, and legal and judicial cooperation, which he discussed with Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Affairs.
Gharibabadi said, “In light of the many commonalities between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the two countries can, through the principle of mutual respect and dialogue based on goodwill and adhering to good neighborliness standards, pursue, alongside developing and enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation, the common interests of their peoples and continue efforts to establish regional peace and stability amid the turbulent international scene today.”
The Iranian diplomat clarified that “it was emphasized the necessity to enhance the role and influence regarding many issues, including condemning the crimes of the occupying entity in Gaza and its assaults on the region, as well as developing cooperation between member states concerning topics related to the organization.”
Abadi continued, “We look forward, with ongoing follow-up and sustainable bilateral dialogue, to the continued growing trajectory of relations between the governments and peoples of Iran and Saudi Arabia; at a faster pace and wider quality.”
It is noted that in March 2023, they announced their agreement to resume diplomatic relations after years of severance following the storming of the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad in January 2016, in protest against the Kingdom’s execution of Saudi Shia cleric Nimr Al-Nimr on charges of ‘terrorism.’ Saudi Arabia and Iran exchanged reopening of embassies and consulates after ending the diplomatic break, with the reconciliation mediated by China, which played a significant role in completing it and was one of the signatories to the joint statement of the two states.
