How the world is reacting to Iran and Saudi Arabia resuming ties
An overview of international reactions to the diplomatic rapprochement between the two regional powers after seven years of tension.
Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to restore diplomatic relations after seven years of tensions that threatened stability and security in the Middle East.
After days of talks hosted by China, the two regional powers agreed on Friday to reopen their embassies and missions over the next two months.
Below is a summary of the international response to the statement by China, Iran and Saudi Arabia. This story will be updated as more comments come in.
China
Restoring ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia is “big good news” in today’s turbulent world and a “victory” for dialogue and peace, China’s foreign ministry quoted top diplomat Wang Yi as saying.
China will continue to play a constructive role in global hot spots and demonstrate its “responsibility” as a leading nation, Wang said.
United States
A White House National Security Council spokesman said the US was aware of reports that the two countries had resumed diplomatic relations, but referred further details to Washington’s ally Riyadh.
“We generally welcome all efforts to help end the war in Yemen and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East,” the spokesman told Reuters news agency. “De-escalation and diplomacy along with deterrence are key pillars of the policies President (Joe) Biden outlined during his visit to the region last year.”
Iraq
Iraq, which has hosted several rounds of reconciliation talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran since 2021, welcomed the agreement.
“A new page has been opened in diplomatic relations between the two countries,” the Iraqi foreign ministry said in a statement.
United Arab Emirates
Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the UAE, also welcomed the agreement and praised China’s role in achieving it.
“The UAE believes in the importance of positive communication and dialogue between the countries of the region to consolidate the concepts of good neighborliness and build a more stable future for all on a common basis,” he wrote on Twitter.
Houthi rebels in Yemen
The chief negotiator of Iran-affiliated Houthi movement in Yemen said diplomatic ties between countries in the Middle East are needed.
“The region needs the resumption of normal ties between its countries so that the Islamic nation can regain its lost security due to foreign interference,” said Mohammed Abdulsalam.
Yemen has been divided by an eight-year war pitting the Houthis against a factional coalition that supports the Yemeni government. It is led by Saudi Arabia and includes southern forces backed by the UAE.
Oman
Oman welcomed the joint communiqué on the resumption of diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Tehran, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
China, Saudi Arabia and Iran thanked Oman for hosting previous talks.
Lebanese Hezbollah
Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Lebanon’s powerful armed group Hezbollah, said the resumption of ties between his supporter Iran and old rival Saudi Arabia was a “good development”.