Iran Lauds Iraq for Hosting Talks That Led to Rapprochement with Saudis
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council expressed gratitude to Iraq for hosting several rounds of negotiations that resulted in an ultimate reconciliation between Tehran and Riyadh.
In a telephone conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani on Friday, Ali Shamkhani appreciated Iraq’s efforts in hosting five rounds of negotiations between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
The top security official said Baghdad has made valuable efforts to prepare the ground for the achievement of détente between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Following days of intensive talks in Beijing, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed on Friday to resume their diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies and diplomatic missions within at most two months.
Diplomatic relations between Tehran and Riyadh soured following the January 2016 execution of Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, an outspoken critic of the Saudi monarchy, in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh cut ties with Tehran afterwards, responding to attacks by angry protesters on its embassy in the Iranian capital.
