UN Secretary-General Applauds Iran-Saudi Agreement on Restoring Diplomatic Ties

In a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Thursday evening, Guterres expressed his admiration for the agreement, which was reached after intense negotiations hosted by Beijing. The deal, finalized on March 10, paves the way for the reestablishment of diplomatic ties and the reopening of embassies between Tehran and Riyadh.

The meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on April 6 marked a significant milestone, as it was the first such meeting in seven years. Both ministers emphasized the importance of implementing the agreement brokered by China, with hopes that it will help ease tensions in the region.

The severance of diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Tehran dates back to January 2016 when Saudi Arabia cut ties following the storming of its embassy in Tehran by Iranian protesters. The unrest was sparked by the execution of prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr by the Saudi government.

During the conversation, Guterres also highlighted the United Nations-organized conference on Afghanistan held in Doha, Qatar, in early May. He emphasized that all participants at the conference reached a consensus on key issues such as forming an inclusive government, combating terrorism, supporting Afghanistan's economy, fighting drug production and trafficking, and ensuring access to education for girls and women in the country.

The UN chief commended Iran for hosting a substantial number of Afghan refugees and stressed the need for international assistance in this regard. He also expressed his hope for a swift resolution to the Ukraine conflict, referencing a peace initiative proposed by African heads of state and the Istanbul meeting on extending a deal for safe Black Sea export of Ukrainian agricultural goods.

Guterres further emphasized the importance of achieving a sustainable ceasefire in Yemen and praised Iran for its significant and constructive role in the region.

Amirabdollahian, in response, characterized the Afghanistan summit in Qatar as positive, highlighting Iran's long-standing support for millions of Afghan refugees and the need for international attention and assistance in managing their welfare.

The Iranian foreign minister also expressed his hope for an end to the war and siege in Yemen and reiterated Iran's strong opposition to the conflict in Ukraine. He called for a return to dialogue and the establishment of peace among all parties involved.

Additionally, the Iranian foreign minister and the UN chief discussed the ongoing talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as well as the removal of sanctions. They also touched on Tehran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency in resolving any remaining misunderstandings.