Iranian Interim Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has met with Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Walid bin Abdulkarim Al Khereiji In Tehran to discuss bilateral relations and means to enhance ties.
During the meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the 19th Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) ministerial meeting on Tuesday, Bagheri Kani emphasized that the two countries have a serious determination to pursue the deepening and development of relations in various fields.
“We believe that there should be no obstacle in the way of this process,” he added.
The top Iranian diplomat also thanked Saudi officials for facilitating the affairs of Iranian pilgrims in performing the Hajj rituals and their peaceful return to the country, stressing the need for the continuation of Saudi officials’ cooperation in providing necessary and appropriate facilities to Iranian pilgrims.
Al Khereiji, for his part, expressed his condolences over the martyrdom of President Ebrahim Raeisi, noting that with the successful holding of the presidential election and the formation of the new government, the Iranian people will successfully overcome this phase.
Al-Kharji underlined efforts to promote and strengthen bilateral relations, expressing hope that the moves will continue with strength given the serious attempts of the Iranian and Saudi high-ranking officials as well as cultural and historical commonalities.
In March last year, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed under a Chinese-brokered deal to restore diplomatic relations severed in 2016.
As part of a joint statement issued by the two sides, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to implement a security cooperation agreement signed in April 2001 and another accord reached in May 1998 to boost ties in various sectors.