Baghdad: Tehran, Riyadh could resume ties soon
Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said normalization talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia continue and may lead to the resumption of bilateral diplomatic relations.
Commenting on the holding of the fifth round of Tehran-riyadh talks in Baghdad, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed al-sahhaf said the move was in line with his country’s policy of encouraging dialog to create agreement and balance in the region, ISNA quoted ninanews.com as saying.
He described the atmosphere of the fifth round of the negotiations as calm, positive and featuring a common understanding, saying Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa alkadhimi also attended the talks where different issues, including security cases, were discussed.
Sahhaf stressed that it is likely that the ongoing negotiations would lead to a fundamental transformation in Tehran-riyadh ties.
He added the holding of such negotiations can ensure stability,
balance and security in the region and Iraq, describing his country as an important regional player.
Iran confirmed on Monday that it held a fifth round of “positive” talks with Saudi Arabia in Baghdad
on normalizing bilateral relations, Press TV wrote.
The two countries started direct fence-mending talks last year, but Iran announced a temporary halt in March after Saudi Arabia executed 81 men in its biggest mass execution in decades.
“The fifth round of talks between Saudi Arabia and Tehran were held in Iraq and the talks were progressive and positive,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told a televised weekly news conference on Monday.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Sunday Baghdad would host a new round of talks between Tehran and Riyadh.
Iran’s Nour News, affiliated with the country’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), first announced the fifth round of negotiations on Saturday.