Iran top diplomat hopes for restoration of Saudi ties
Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed hope that diplomatic ties between Tehran and Riyadh could be restored through dialogue between the two regional arch-rivals, as he visited Lebanon.
Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran in January 2016, after protesters attacked its embassy in Tehran and consulate in second city Mashhad following Riyadh's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
Amir-Abdollahian told a news conference in Beirut that he hoped "diplomatic missions or embassies in Tehran and Riyadh will reopen within the framework of dialogue that should continue between the two countries".
He also hailed a potential rapprochement between Iranian ally Syria and Türkiye, after their defence ministers met last month.
Iran and Saudi Arabia back opposing sides in various conflicts in the region, including in Syria.
In a meeting with Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, the pair discussed "possible threats arising from the formation of a government of corrupt people and extremists" in Israel, according to a statement from the Tehran-backed group.
Syria's pro-government Al-Watan newspaper said Amir-Abdollahian was set to visit ally Damascus, at a time of warming ties between Syria and Türkiye.
"We are happy with this dialogue that is taking place between Syria and Türkiye," Amir-Abdollahian said.
"We believe that this dialogue should have positive repercussions benefitting these two countries."
