Iran, Saudi Embassies Preparing to Reopen

Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia are regaining life and the embassies of the two regional powerhouses are preparing to reopen, according to a member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission. 
“This has important effects on reducing regional tensions and boosting the integrity of the Muslim world,” lawmaker Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi said on Twitter, calling on security organizations and the media to beware of “the wickedness of the Zionists and the idiocy of extremists.” 
Tehran and Riyadh severed diplomatic ties in 2016 and have been at odds on a number of regional issues.
Both countries, however, have been taking steps toward rapprochement and held their first direct talks in years in Iraq last year. 
Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian had said in a recent interview that four rounds of “positive and constructive” talks had been held with Saudi authorities in Iraq, until Baghdad’s mediatory role was affected by elections and other domestic political processes. 
“Any time the Saudi side is willing to renormalize the ties, we are ready and welcome the reopening of our embassies and consular offices,” he told Al-Jazeera, adding that Iranian diplomats would soon be stationed in the mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Islamic Cooperation Organization in the Saudi city of Jeddah.