Iranian president says Saudi-Iran rapprochement would benefit regional security

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi has welcomed the prospect of restoring ties with arch-rival Saudi Arabia, saying on Monday that better relations would strengthen regional security.

Raisi made the comments in Tehran during a meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.

"Reestablishment and further bolstering of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia will be in the interest of the regional security," the president said, according to Tehran-funded outlet Press TV.

Raisi also praised Iraq's role in the region, saying Baghdad has made efforts to "improve cooperation among regional countries free from foreign meddling".

Tehran and Riyadh have held several talks aimed at improving relations, five rounds held in Iraq since April 2021, Hussein said.

Saudi Arabia officially cut ties with Iran in January 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran over the execution of Saudi Shia Muslim cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

The two states have also backed rival sides in regional conflicts, most notably in Yemen's ongoing war. Iran has provided support for the Sanaa-based Houthi rebels, while Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition in the conflict backing President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

In recent months, however, the two states have made efforts to bridge the divide.

Last month, Hussein said he was preparing to host a "public" meeting between Saudi and Iranian officials.

"It will be a public meeting, (unlike) previous encounters which were secret and were held between intelligence and security officials," he told Rudaw.