Agencies

 

Iran yesterday welcomed a plan for its foreign minister to visit Saudi Arabia, stressing the need to boost relations after years of strained ties.

The two countries have been at odds over Syria’s civil war and the fallout from unrest in Bahrain.

Riyadh’s Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal on Tuesday said he had invited his Iranian counterpart, Mohamed Javad Zarif, to visit the kingdom.

Iran’s deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian told the official Irna news agency that Tehran had yet to receive Riyadh’s formal invite, but a meeting was expected.

“We have not received the written invitation yet, but visits of the countries’ foreign ministers are on the agenda of Iran,” Amir Abdollahian said. 

“We welcome negotiation and visits (aimed at) helping to resolve the regional problems, to clear up misunderstandings as well as expanding bilateral ties,” he added.

In the Syrian conflict, Iran has backed the government of President Bashar al-Assad while Saudi Arabia has been a leading supporter of rebel forces.

Iranian President Hassan Rohani has adopted a conciliatory tone towards Tehran’s neighbours since taking office last year, but while Zarif has visited other Gulf Arab states, he has not yet been to Saudi Arabia.

Rapprochement between the two countries would have ramifications across the Middle East, potentially cooling political and military struggles in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain and Yemen.

 

Related Story