Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore ties and to reopen respective diplomatic missions after talks in China, state media in both countries reported Friday, seven years after relations were severed.

Riyadh cut ties with Tehran after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in the Islamic republic in 2016 following the Saudi execution of cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

“Following talks, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have agreed to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies and missions within two months,” the official Iranian news agency IRNA said, citing a joint statement.

The official Saudi Press Agency also published the statement.

Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, had travelled to Beijing on Monday for “intensive negotiations with his Saudi counterpart in China in order to finally resolve the problems between Tehran and Riyadh”, IRNA said.

Iran and Saudi Arabia support rival sides in several conflict zones across the Middle East, including in Yemen where the Huthi rebels are backed by Tehran, and Riyadh leads a military coalition supporting the government.

Iraq, a neighbour to both countries, had hosted several rounds of talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia since April 2021.

Those encounters were held at a relatively low level, involving security and intelligence officials.

In Friday’s statement, Iran and Saudi Arabia said they “thank the Republic of Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman for hosting the talks held between the two sides in 2021 and 2022 as well as the leaders and government of the People’s Republic of China for hosting and supporting the talks held in that country.”

Reaction to Iran and Saudi Arabia resuming ties

Here are some key quotes and reactions after Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed on Friday to re-establish relations in deal announced after four days of previously undisclosed talks in Beijing.

Statement issued by Iran, Saudi Arabia and China

Tehran and Riyadh agreed “to resume diplomatic relations between them and re-open their embassies and missions within a period not exceeding two months”.

“The agreement includes their affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs,” the statement said.

Saudi National Security Adviser Musaad Bin Mohammed Al-Aiban

“The Kingdom’s leadership welcomes the initiative of His Excellency President Xi Jinping, based on the Kingdom’s consistent and continuous approach since its establishment in adhering to the principles of good neighbourliness, taking everything that would enhance security and stability in the region and the world, and adopting the principle of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve differences.”

“While we value what we have reached, we hope that we will continue to continue the constructive dialogue, in accordance with the pillars and foundations included in the agreement, expressing our appreciation for the People’s Republic of China’s continued positive role in this regard.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian

“The neighbourhood policy, as the key axis of the Iranian government’s foreign policy, is strongly moving in the right direction and the diplomatic apparatus is actively behind the preparation of more regional steps.”

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi

“This is a victory for dialogue, a victory for peace, offering major good news at a time of much turbulence in the world.”

China will continue to play a constructive role in handling hotspot issues in the world and demonstrate its responsibility as a major nation, Wang said. “The world is not just limited to the Ukraine issue,” he said.

Pakistan welcomes normalization of diplomatic relations

Pakistan “warmly welcomed” the normalisation of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran on Friday.

“Pakistan firmly believes that this important diplomatic breakthrough will contribute to peace and stability in the region and beyond,” the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement.

“We commend the role played by China’s visionary leadership in coordinating this historic agreement which reflects the power of constructive engagement and meaningful dialogue. We laud the sagacious leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran for this very positive development.

With a history of consistently supporting and coordinating efforts for bridging gaps between the two brotherly countries, Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role in the Middle East and the region. We hope this positive step would define a template for regional cooperation and harmony,“ it said.

US President Joe Biden

“Better relations between Israel and their Arab neighbours are better for everybody,” he said after being asked by reporters about the Iran-Saudi deal.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby

“Generally speaking, we welcome any efforts to help end the war in Yemen and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East region. De-escalation and diplomacy together with deterrence are key pillars of the policy President Biden outlined during his visit to the region last year,” Kirby said.

“The Saudis did keep us informed about these talks that they were having, just as we keep them informed on our engagements, but we weren’t directly involved.”

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomed the deal and praised China, Oman and Iraq for promoting the talks.

“Good neighbourly relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia are essential for the stability of the Gulf region,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

“The Secretary-General reiterates his readiness to use his good offices to further advance regional dialogue to ensure durable peace and security in the Gulf region,” he said.

Chief negotiator of Yemen’s Houthi Movement, Mohammed Abdulsalam

“The region needs the resumption of normal ties between its countries for the Islamic nation to reclaim its lost security as a result of foreign interference.”

Hezbollah

The head of Lebanon’s powerful armed group said the resumption of ties between its backer Iran and longtime rival Saudi Arabia was a “good development”.

Oman Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi

“This is a win-win for everyone and will benefit regional and global security. We hope in the longer term there’s also potential for increasing economic benefits for all.”

Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser To United Arab Emirates President

“We welcome the agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran to resume diplomatic relations, and we hail the Chinese role in this regard,” he tweeted.

“The UAE believes in the importance of positive communication and dialogue among the countries of the region towards consolidating the concepts of good neighbourliness and starting from a common ground to build a more stable future for all.”

Qatar

Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, who also acts as foreign minister, called the foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia to welcome the deal.

Iraq state news agency

Iraq welcomes “turning a new page” between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Egypt foreign ministry

Hopes agreement will contribute to easing of tension in the region.

Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, political scientist at Rice University’s Baker Institute in the US

“Further regional instability is not in Saudi or Iranian interest at the moment.”

“And for the Chinese to have addressed this at a time when the US stance toward Iran is becoming more hawkish sends a powerful signal in itself.”