WORLD NEWS | Maldives resumes diplomatic ties with Iran after Saudi reconciliation

male [Maldives]March 13 (ANI): The Maldives government has announced that it will resume diplomatic relations with Iran after China brokered a rapprochement between Riyadh and Tehran.

“The Government of the Republic of Maldives welcomes the Trilateral Joint Statement issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the People’s Republic of China, announcing that an agreement has been reached between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran agrees to the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the reopening of embassies and Mission, and affirmed respect for national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of the country. In light of these positive and welcome developments, the Maldives government has decided to restore diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” read a statement from the Maldives government.

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On 17 May 2016, the Maldives severed political ties with Iran during the administration of former President Abdullah Yameen.

Saudi Arabia and Iran resumed diplomatic ties after talks brokered by China. The two countries reiterated their policy of respecting national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

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The agreement also includes reopening their embassies and missions. The major development comes after years of tension between the two countries, including Tehran’s devastating attack on a Saudi oil production hub.

According to the tripartite agreement, China will host and sponsor talks between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, “based on their common desire to resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomacy, and in light of their fraternal relationship.”

The three countries expressed their willingness to make every effort to promote regional and international peace and security.

The Saudi and Iranian sides expressed their appreciation and gratitude to Iraq and Oman for hosting multiple rounds of dialogue between the two sides during 2021-2022.

Both sides also expressed appreciation and gratitude to the leadership and government of the People’s Republic of China for hosting and sponsoring the talks and for their efforts to make the talks a success.

Notably, relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran were disrupted following the attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran following a 2016 dispute between the two countries over the execution of a Shia Muslim cleric in Riyadh.

Iran, the predominant Shiite Muslim state in the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia, the region’s oil exporter and Sunni Muslim powerhouse, have backed opposing sides in proxy wars in Yemen, Syria and elsewhere. (Arnie)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)