In full: Saudi Arabia, Iran and China's statement on resumption of ties

Delegations hashed out a deal over the past week in Beijing

Saudi Arabia's national flag at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Iran and Saudi Arabia reached an agreement in Beijing on Friday to resume diplomatic relations. Reuters

Iran and Saudi Arabia reached an agreement in Beijing on Friday to resume diplomatic relations, including reopening embassies and exchanging ambassadors.

Here is the full text of the communique issued by Saudi Arabia, Iran and China, as published by the Saudi Press Agency:

In response to the noble initiative of His Excellency President Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, of China’s support for developing good neighbourly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran;

And based on the agreement between His Excellency President Xi Jinping and the leaderships in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, whereby the People’s Republic of China would host and sponsor talks between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran;

Proceeding from their shared desire to resolve the disagreements between them through dialogue and diplomacy, and in light of their brotherly ties;

Adhering to the principles and objectives of Charters of the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC), and International conventions and norms;

The delegations from the two countries held talks during the period 6-10 March 2023 in Beijing — the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia headed by His Excellency Dr Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers, and National Security Adviser, and the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran headed by His Excellency Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Saudi and Iranian sides expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the Republic of Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman for hosting rounds of dialogue that took place between both sides during the years 2021-2022. The two sides also expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the leadership and government of the People’s Republic of China for hosting and sponsoring the talks, and the efforts it placed towards its success.

The three countries announce that an agreement has been reached between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, that includes an agreement to resume diplomatic relations between them and reopen their embassies and missions within a period not exceeding two months, and the agreement includes their affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs of states. They also agreed that the ministers of foreign affairs of both countries shall meet to implement this, arrange for the return of their ambassadors, and discuss means of enhancing bilateral relations.

They also agreed to implement the Security Co-operation Agreement between them, which was signed on 22/1/1422 (H), corresponding to 17/4/2001, and the General Agreement for Co-operation in the Fields of Economy, Trade, Investment, Technology, Science, Culture, Sports, and Youth, which was signed on 2/2/1419 (H), corresponding to 27/5/1998.

The three countries expressed their keenness to exert all efforts towards enhancing regional and international peace and security.

Issued in Beijing on 10 March, 2023.

For the Islamic Republic of Iran: Ali Shamkhani

For the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers, and National Security Adviser

For the People’s Republic of China: Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Director of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee