Iran officially reopens Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Iran has officially reopened its Consulate in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah, four months after the countries agreed to re-launch their diplomatic relations.
The Iranian diplomatic facility in Jeddah, which was closed in 2016, was reopened during a ceremony held in the western Saudi city on Wednesday.
The ceremony, which was attended by a number of Iranian and Saudi officials, saw the Iranian flag being hoisted above the facility as the Iranian national anthem was being played.
A separate ceremony, which was likewise held in Jeddah, where the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is headquartered, featured the reopening of the Islamic Republic's Permanent Representative Office at the intergovernmental organization.
A day earlier, Iran had reopened its Embassy in the kingdom's capital of Riyadh during a similar flag-raising ceremony, held with many Iranian and Saudi officials in attendance.
The countries had severed their ties in January 2016 after the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia, prompted angry protests in front of the Saudi Embassy in Tehran and the kingdom's Consulate in the holy city of Mashhad.
Back in March, China successfully mediated high-stakes talks between Tehran and Riyadh, which led to the conclusion of a deal between the two sides that foresaw the resumption of their ties.
Observers have welcomed the rapprochement between the regional powerhouses as a counterweight to efforts aimed at the alienation of the region's countries from each other, saying the reconciliation serves to invigorate regional cohesion and integrity.
Last month, the Islamic Republic appointed Ali-Reza Enayati as its envoy to the Saudi capital.
Saudi Arabia is, however, yet to either confirm when it will reopen its Embassy in Tehran or announce its pick for ambassador.
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