Signs of a rapprochement as Iran and Saudi exchange diplomatic visits

Tehran declared yesterday that delegations from Iran and Saudi Arabia will soon exchange diplomatic visits, which signals a possible improvement in the relations between the two regional rivals since they severed diplomatic relations last year.

Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif told the Iranian Student News Agency that the visits could take place after the end of Hajj season in the first week of September.

“The visas have already been issued to both groups… we are waiting for the final steps to be completed so that the diplomats of the two countries can inspect their respective embassies and consulates,” said Zarif.

Recently, relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia reached a new low. Each of the two countries accuses the other of undermining regional security and supporting conflicting parties in disputes in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

Read: As Syria war tightens, US and Russia military hotlines humming

Riyadh had to close its embassy in Iran after protesters stormed it in January 2016 as a reaction to the execution of a Saudi Shia cleric.

Eighty days have passed since Saudi Arabia and several other Arab states have severed ties with Qatar; the Qatari-Iranian entente was one of the driving forces behind the embargo.

Iran accused Saudi Arabia of being responsible for two attacks on 7 June in Tehran that Daesh has claimed responsibility for. At least 18 people were killed and more than 40 injured in the two attacks, which Riyadh denies any involvement in.

Currently thousands of Iranians are in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj.