Iranian President Invited to Visit Saudi Arabia by King Salman

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran on April 29, 2017. Atta Kenare/AFP

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Saudi Arabia's King Salman has invited Iranian President Ebrahim Raissi to pay an official visit to his country, a further step in the clear rapprochement between the two regional rival powers.

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With our correspondent in Tehran, Siavosh Ghazi

The invitation came less than ten days after Iran and Saudi Arabia decided to re-establish diplomatic relations. No date has been specified at this time. But things seem to be moving very quickly since Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has announced that he will meet very soon with his Saudi counterpart.

On March 10, the two countries announced the resumption of diplomatic relations within two months after secret talks in Beijing. Since then, positive statements have multiplied. Thus, the Saudi Minister of Economy announced that Saudi Arabia could make large investments in Iran.

► Read also Iran-Saudi Arabia agreement: "We are witnessing the beginnings of a new regional configuration"

Political and economic relations

After more than ten years of latent tug-of-war, the two countries have decided to turn a page. Riyadh and Tehran were opposed in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, but also in Lebanon. This turning point in the relations of the two regional powers will certainly have consequences in these countries.

Already, Iran and Bahrain, an ally of Saudi Arabia, have decided to resume diplomatic relations. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, supported by Tehran, is received in the United Arab Emirates. Iran and Iraq must sign a security agreement. Obviously, the countries of the region have decided to put aside their differences to strengthen their political relations, but also their economic relations, to the chagrin of the United States and Israel.

► Read also After years of tension, Iran wants to strengthen its ties with the Gulf countries

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  • Iran
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Diplomacy
  • Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud