RIYADH: Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers spoke by phone to mark beginning of Ramadhan, vowing to meet “Soon” to implement landmark bilateral reconciliation deal, Riyadh said.

Saudi Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan called Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and pair “Exchanged congratulations on occasion of holy month of Ramadhan”, which began on Thursday in both countries, Saudi foreign ministry said in statement posted on Twitter.

“Agreed to hold bilateral meeting soon in order to pave way for reopening of embassies and consulates between two countries,” statement said.

Saudi officials have said ministers’ expected meeting is next step in surprise Chinese-brokered rapprochement announced on March 10 intended to fully restore diplomatic ties seven years after they were severed.

Amir-Abdollahian told reporters same day that two countries had agreed to hold meeting between their top diplomats and that three locations had been suggested, without specifying which.

Detente between Saudi Arabia, world’s biggest oil exporter and Iran, strongly at odds with Western governments over its nuclear activities, has potential to reshape relations across region characterised by turbulence for decades.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 24 2023

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