Iran Says Decision to Reopen Embassy in Saudi Arabia Depends on Riyadh

Iran is ready to reopen its embassy in Riyadh, Saeed Khatibzadeh, a spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said at a weekly press conference on Monday. The decision, he said, now depends on Saudi Arabia and the practical measures it takes. And, he added, Iran is now focusing on its mission to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said in an interview with Al Jazeera’s English-language news channel that Iran had held four rounds of positive, constructive talks with Saudi officials in Iraq. “What we have stated as our official position is that relations between the two countries would return to normal whenever the Saudi side wishes. Iran is ready and welcomes the reopening of the embassies and consulates,” Abdollahian said. Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in January 2016 to protest attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran following the Saudi execution of Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. The cleric was arrested three years earlier over his support for anti-government protests in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.