After seven years of antagonism that jeopardized Gulf stability and security and fueled crises from Yemen to Syria, Iran and Saudi Arabia decided on Friday to mend fences once more.
Top security officials from the two competing Middle Eastern nations met in Beijing for four days before making the accord public.
According to a statement issued by Iran, Saudi Arabia and China, Tehran and Riyadh decided to reestablish diplomatic ties and reopen their embassies and missions within a two-month window.
They also reaffirm their commitment to refraining from meddling in the internal affairs of other countries in the pact.
Iran was held responsible by Saudi Arabia for attacks on oil facilities, tankers in Gulf waterways, and missile and drone attacks in 2019. Iran refuted the accusations.
The Houthi movement in Yemen, which has ties to Iran, has frequently launched drone and cross-border missile attacks into Saudi Arabia, which has led a coalition battling the Houthis. In 2022, the attacks were also expanded to the United Arab Emirates.
Under the agreement reached on Friday, Saudi Arabia and Iran also agreed to put into effect a prior agreement on commerce, economics, and investment as well as a security cooperation agreement that was struck in 2001.
Both nations praised China for hosting the earlier talks in 2021 and 2022 as well as Iraq and Oman.
Ali Shamkhani, the senior security official for Iran, and Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, the national security adviser for Saudi Arabia, both signed the agreement.
An inquiry for comment was not immediately answered by the Chinese foreign ministry.
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