Iran FM in Riyadh for first Saudi visit since ties restored

Iran's foreign minister travelled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, marking the first trip to the kingdom by Tehran's top diplomat in years after the two nations reached a détente with Chinese mediation.

Amir-Abdollahian "has arrived at Riyadh Airport a few minutes ago for a one-day trip, and was welcomed by the deputy foreign minister of Saudi Arabia," according to official news agency IRNA.

Amirabdollahian's trip to Riyadh comes as the two nations are reopening diplomatic missions in each others' countries. He was accompanied by Alireza Enayati, Iran's new ambassador to the kingdom.

The last Iranian foreign minister to visit Saudi Arabia on a public trip was Mohammad Javad Zarif, who travelled to the kingdom in 2015 to offer condolences for the death of King Abdullah.

Saudi Arabia hopes to see Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi visit the kingdom following an invitation from King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan said on Thursday in a press conference with his Iranian counterpart.

He added that the countries' corresponding ambassadors will start in their positions in their respective embassies after their reopening as a result of the two countries ending a diplomatic rift in March and reestablishing relations.

Talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia have been successful, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Thursday during a visit to Riyadh.

Agencies