In April, media reported that the Iranian Embassy in Riyadh had opened its doors for the first time in seven years, marking the beginning of work to reopen the country's diplomatic mission.
"Completing the process of normalization of bilateral relationship between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aimed at the resumption of relations between the two countries ... the Iranian Embassy in Riyadh, Consulate General ... in Jeddah and Iran's Permanent Mission to the OIC will be officially opened on Tuesday, June 6, and on Wednesday, June 7, 2023," Kanaani was quoted as saying by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
In early March, Iran and Saudi Arabia, with China's mediation, agreed to resume diplomatic relations that were severed in 2016 after Saudi Arabia's diplomatic missions in Iran were attacked following the execution of Shiite preacher Nimr al-Nimr. The agreement to restore diplomatic relations and prepare for the opening of diplomatic missions was signed by the foreign ministers of the two countries at a formal ceremony in April. The deal includes the resumption of direct flights between the two countries, reciprocal visits by top diplomats, and security cooperation.