Iran, Saudi Arabia agree to restore ties in China-brokered deal

End to 7-year diplomatic rift follows negotiations in Beijing

Wang Yi, center, head of the Chinese Communist Party's foreign office, stands between Ali Shamkhani, right, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and Saudi national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban in Beijing on March 10. (Photo by China Daily via Reuters)

SHUNTARO FUKUTOMI, Nikkei staff writer

March 10, 2023 23:10 JST

Updated on March 11, 2023 05:48 JST

DUBAI -- Iran and Saudi Arabia will reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen embassies within two months under an agreement mediated by China, according to a joint communique released Friday by all three sides.

The deal, signed after negotiations in Beijing, is the culmination of a flurry of diplomatic activity aimed at mending ties severed in 2016.