Saudi, Iran foreign ministers meet in Tehran amid warming ties

The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia have met in Tehran as the longtime rivals seek to end a diplomatic rift and restore ties after seven years of tensions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian welcomed his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, at the foreign ministry on Saturday.Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat also met Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who has just finished a tour of Latin America.

The two ministers hailed the re-establishment of diplomatic relations, which they said would be paramount to improving security across the region.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has never equated security with militarism, and considers security to be a comprehensive concept, which includes political, economic, cultural, trade and social dimensions between all the countries of the region,” Amirabdollahian told a news conference.

He added that he discussed a wide range of issues with Prince Faisal, which included trade ties and joint investments, in addition to accommodating Saudi tourists and pilgrims who may be interested in visiting Iran.Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat also met Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who has just finished a tour of Latin America.

The two ministers hailed the re-establishment of diplomatic relations, which they said would be paramount to improving security across the region.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has never equated security with militarism, and considers security to be a comprehensive concept, which includes political, economic, cultural, trade and social dimensions between all the countries of the region,” Amirabdollahian told a news conference.

He added that he discussed a wide range of issues with Prince Faisal, which included trade ties and joint investments, in addition to accommodating Saudi tourists and pilgrims who may be interested in visiting Iran.

Prince Faisal said that “mutual respect, non-interference in the two countries’ internal affairs and commitment to the United Nations Charter” will be at the centre of bilateral relations going forward, with an eye on securing the interests of both nations.

“I would also like to highlight the two countries’ discussions on cooperation on ensuring maritime security and reducing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,” he said.

Al Jazeera’s Dorsa Jabbari said, “The two countries are serious about resuming diplomatic relations and they want to move forward despite not having any relationship for the past seven years.”

“The area of expansion is not only political but the economic aspect of the relationship with also be very significant. The Iranians are hoping to increase trade with Saudi Arabia to reach $1bn annually. It’s currently at about $15m,” Jabbari said, reporting from Tehran.