Iran and Saudi Arabia advance Beijing agreement in new trilateral talks

Iran and Saudi Arabia reiterated their commitment to enhance ties following a joint meeting with China in Tehran on Tuesday to follow up on implementation of the 2023 Beijing Agreement which resulted in resumption of their diplomatic relations after eight years.

According to the press release of the Third Meeting of Trilateral Joint Committee, Tehran and Riyadh expressed their commitment to implement all provisions of the agreement, the meeting welcomed continued progress in Iran-Saudi ties and condemned the U.S.-Israel military invasion of Iran last June.

“Iranian and Saudi sides stressed their commitment to implementing all provisions of the Beijing Agreement and their continuous efforts to strengthen good-neighborly relations between the two countries through adherence to the Charter of the United Nations, the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and international law.”

Based on the historic Beijing Agreement, diplomatic ties between Tehran and Riyadh, which had been severed since 2015 following Saudi’s invasion of Yemen and attacks on its diplomatic missions in Iran, were restored and they agreed to reopen embassies and mend their political relations.

“All countries welcomed the continuous progress in Iranian-Saudi relations and the existing opportunities for direct communication between the two countries at all levels and sectors, and considered these mutual contacts and meetings between the high-ranking officials of the two countries to be important,” read the press release.

Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Issues Majid Takht-Ravanchi led the Iranian side in today’s joint negotiations with Chinese and Saudi delegations.

On Monday, he met with his Chinese counterpart who is visiting Tehran to take part in the tri-lateral meeting. They discussed bilateral ties focusing on implementation of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in 2020 which is valid for 25 years, official IRNA news agency reported.

The meeting also called for an immediate end to Israeli attacks against Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, and condemned the violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran by Israel and U.S. last June.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran appreciated the clear positions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People's Republic of China at the time of the aforementioned aggression.”

In the wake of the Beijing Agreement, Iran and Saudi Arabia have developed close relations in bilateral issues as well as at regional forums including the Jeddah-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Last November, Saudi deputy foreign minister visited Tehran after a letter by Iranian President Masoud Pezeskhian was delivered to Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Iranian sources said it focused on bilateral ties including President Pezeshkian’s appreciation over the services granted to Iranian pilgrims during the annual Hajj rituals in Mecca and Madina.

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