Agreement reached in Beijing attracts praise, attention from around the world

Achievements made at the negotiating table in Beijing to end the seven-year impasse between Saudi Arabia and Iran drew global attention and praise.

The talks produced an agreement to restore diplomatic ties between the two Middle Eastern nations, with the announcement widely welcomed as a victory for peace and dialogue.

A statement released by both nations after the talks said, "As a result of the talks, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies ...within two months."

The agreement followed China-brokered talks in Beijing, with Teheran and Riyadh expressing hopes of opening a new chapter in bilateral relations.

Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, the Saudi representative to the talks and his country's national security adviser, said, "We value the agreement we reached and hope we will continue to maintain a constructive dialogue ... while expressing the value and appreciation we attach to the continuous, positive role played by the People's Republic of China in this regard."

His Iranian counterpart, Ali Shamkhani, secretary to Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said "clearing misunderstandings and looking to the future in Teheran-Riyadh relations" will lead to the development of regional stability and security, and increase cooperation between countries in the region.

All sides of the special triangular table used for the negotiations were the same length.

Zhou Jiali, an associate professor at China Foreign Affairs University, who is familiar with diplomatic etiquette, said this arrangement showed that China, Saudi Arabia and Iran are completely equal and mutually respectful to one another.

Liu Lanyu, an expert on Iran at Tsinghua University's Institute for International and Area Studies, was quoted by Xinhua News Agency as saying that China has put forward practical global security initiatives that respect and consider the interests of all parties.

China has no history of colonization or interference in the Middle East, Liu said, adding that countries in the region such as Iran and Saudi Arabia now look to China to provide security solutions when seeking peace.

Thomas S. Warrick, nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, said China's public role in the announcement "shows its interest in doing something few other countries could have done — gaining the confidence of both sides".

The rapprochement, which was greeted with optimism, hope and applause, is seen as a diplomatic victory for China in the Persian Gulf region.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, welcomed the agreement, stressing that good relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia are essential for stability in the Gulf.

At a daily media briefing on Friday, Dujarric said, "The secretary-general reiterates his readiness to use his good offices to further advance regional dialogue and ensure durable peace and security in the Gulf."

Late on Sunday, media reports said Moldova, which severed political relations with Iran in 2016, would resume diplomatic ties with Teheran following the reconciliation with Saudi Arabia.

Countries in the Middle East also welcomed the Saudi-Iranian agreement, saying it would contribute to regional security and stability, and promote constructive cooperation to benefit the region and the world.

In a phone call to his Saudi counterpart, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the UAE welcomed the announcement that Riyadh and Teheran would resume diplomatic relations. He underscored the significance of this step and its role in achieving stability in the region and meeting the aspirations of the people for development and prosperity, Khaleej Times reported on Monday.

The Palestinian Presidency, applauding the positive role played by China in reaching the agreement, hoped it would lead to stability and a strengthened positive atmosphere in the region.

In Jordan, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement it hoped the announcement would enhance regional stability and security.

Iraq and Oman, who helped mediate talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2021 and last year, hailed the breakthrough as a "win-win" situation that "will benefit regional and global security".

In Syria, the Foreign Ministry welcomed the agreement in a statement, describing it as an important step that will lead to stronger regional security and stability.

The ministry added that the agreement will also lead to cooperation that will "reflect positively the common interests of people in the two countries in particular, and those of the region in general".

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib hoped the agreement would enhance security and stability in the Middle East, and called on Arabs to engage in dialogue with Iran based on respect for the sovereignty of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and good neighborliness.

He was quoted by the National News Agency in Lebanon as saying, "It is hoped that this step will contribute to strengthening the pillars of security and stability in the region, and the consolidation of positive and constructive cooperation that will inevitably benefit the countries of the region, their peoples and the world."

Tunisia, Jordan and Bahrain also welcomed the agreement, as did the United States.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the administration supports "any effort to deescalate tensions in the region".

Many observers see the conclusion of a deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran as contributing to a ceasefire being achieved in Yemen.

Iran's Permanent Mission to the UN said the resumption of ties with Saudi Arabia would have positive implications at bilateral, regional and international level, and would extend to relations across the Muslim world.

The mission said on Saturday, "It appears that the re-establishment of political relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia will accelerate the achievement of a ceasefire in Yemen, initiating popular negotiations there, and the formation of an inclusive national government in that country."

Zhao Ruinan in Beijing, Xinhua and agencies contributed to this story.