Life returned to the Iranian embassy in Riyadh today, Tuesday, with a notable diplomatic ceremony. At six in the evening, the ribbon was cut in the presence of Iranian Ambassador Ali Reza Ina’ati, the Iranian diplomatic mission, and several officials from the foreign ministries of both countries. The Iranian flag was raised for the first time after a seven-year severance of relations.
At the outset of the inauguration, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Ali Reza Beigdel emphasized that "diplomacy is not an option, and the region will witness significant goodwill under the banner of good neighborliness." He expressed on behalf of the Iranian delegation his appreciation for the kingdom, stating, "We are confident that with the raising of the Iranian flag in Riyadh, and the Saudi flag in Iran, cooperation will lead to peace and understanding. The opening of the embassy and consulate is merely a fundamental step forward."
He continued, "Iranians are very eager to perform Umrah, and Saudis are invited to tourism in Iran, and we must encourage economic relations and welcome the development of economic ties with other countries. It is important for us to invest in Iran's geopolitical position for the benefit of the peoples and their cooperation."
Notably, the inauguration coincides with active American diplomacy in Saudi Arabia, especially following the arrival of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jeddah. Among the visit's agenda is a meeting with Saudi officials to discuss Saudi-American strategic cooperation on regional and global issues, as well as several bilateral matters including economic and security cooperation.
