Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Iran, Abdullah Al Anazi, has presented his credentials to President Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian state media reported on Tuesday.
Mr Al Anazi arrived in Tehran in September to begin his duties, hours after his Iranian counterpart Alireza Enayati landed in Riyadh to take up his role as envoy to the kingdom.
The Saudi ambassador said that the kingdom's leadership has stressed the importance of strengthening relations and solidifying communication between both countries.
“The directives of the wise leadership – may God support them – confirm the importance of strengthening relations and intensifying communication and meetings between the kingdom and Iran, and moving them towards broader horizons,” Mr Al Anazi said.
Previously, Mr Al Anazi served as the Saudi ambassador to Oman from 2021 to 2023.
In March, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies following years of tension.
Iraq, Jordan and Oman played key roles in initial talks between the two countries, while China also strongly encouraged rapprochement.
Earlier this month, Mr Raisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the first telephone call between the two leaders since the countries resumed ties.
In April, Mr Raisi accepted an invitation to visit Saudi Arabia, First Vice President Mohammed Mokhber said.
“Saudi Arabia's King Salman has invited the President, and there has been a positive response to this invitation, and hopefully good things will happen,” he added.
The specs
A4 35 TFSI
Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed S-tronic automatic
Power: 150bhp
Torque: 270Nm
Price: Dh150,000 (estimate)
On sale: First Q 2020
A4 S4 TDI
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 350bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh165,000 (estimate)
On sale: First Q 2020
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
All about the Sevens
Cape Town Sevens on Saturday and Sunday: Pools A – South Africa, Kenya, France, Russia; B – New Zealand, Australia, Spain, United States; C – England, Scotland, Argentina, Uganda; D – Fiji, Samoa, Canada, Wales
HSBC World Sevens Series standing after first leg in Dubai 1 South Africa; 2 New Zealand; 3 England; 4 Fiji; 5 Australia; 6 Samoa; 7 Kenya; 8 Scotland; 9 France; 10 Spain; 11 Argentina; 12 Canada; 13 Wales; 14 Uganda; 15 United States; 16 Russia
FA%20Cup%20semi-final%20draw
%3Cp%3ECoventry%20City%20v%20Manchester%20United%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EManchester%20City%20v%20Chelsea%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20Games%20to%20be%20played%20at%20Wembley%20Stadium%20on%20weekend%20of%20April%2020%2F21.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
