Iranian international minister says he hopes diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia could be restored through dialogue after years of tensions.

Iranian international minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has expressed hope that diplomatic ties between Tehran and Riyadh could possibly be restored by dialogue between the 2 regional rivals.

Saudi Arabia reduce ties with Iran in January 2016 after protesters attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran following Riyadh’s execution of the Shia chief Nimr al-Nimr.

Amir-Abdollahian informed a information convention within the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on Friday that he hoped “diplomatic missions or embassies in Tehran and Riyadh will reopen inside the framework of dialogue that ought to proceed between the 2 international locations”.

Iran and Saudi Arabia again opposing sides in a number of conflicts within the Center East area, together with in Syria and Yemen, the place Tehran has supported the Houthi rebels.

Since April 2021, Iraq has hosted 5 rounds of fence-mending conferences between the 2 sides, however the talks have stalled in current months, and no conferences have been publicly introduced since April 2022.

Iran wields affect in political life in Lebanon and Iraq, the place it additionally helps armed teams.

On Friday, Amir-Abdollahian met with officers together with his counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

In a gathering with Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, the pair mentioned “potential threats arising from the formation of a authorities of corrupt folks and extremists” in Israel, based on an announcement from the Tehran-backed group.

Israel in late December inaugurated the most right-wing authorities in its historical past, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The transfer has sparked fears of heightened tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, and of a possible army escalation within the occupied West Financial institution, the place each day raids and violence by the Israeli military are a standard prevalence.

‘Dialogue’

Abdollahian additionally hailed a possible rapprochement between Iranian ally Syria and Turkey, after their defence ministers met final month.

Syria’s pro-government Al-Watan newspaper stated Amir-Abdollahian would go to Damascus on Saturday.

“We’re proud of this dialogue that’s going down between Syria and Turkey,” Amir-Abdollahian stated.

“We consider that this dialogue ought to have constructive repercussions benefitting these two international locations.”

Ankara had lengthy backed rebels against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

However after greater than a decade of struggle that has seen Damascus claw again territory with Russian and Iranian assist, ties between Syria and Turkey have begun to thaw.

In late December, Syrian and Turkish defence ministers held landmark negotiations in Moscow – the primary such assembly since 2011.

Assad had stated on Thursday {that a} Moscow-brokered rapprochement with Turkey ought to goal for “the top of occupation” by Ankara of elements of Syria.

The defence ministers’ assembly is to be adopted by talks between the three international locations’ prime diplomats, Turkish international minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated on Thursday.

The mooted reconciliation has alarmed Syrian opposition leaders and supporters who reside largely within the northern elements of the war-torn nation below Ankara’s oblique management.