They cut ties in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi missions following execution of a Shia clericIran’s Foreign Ministry on Monday for the first time confirmed the Islamic republic is holding talks with regional rival Saudi Arabia, but said it is “too soon” to discuss the results. Media reports, later confirmed by diplomatic and Iraqi government sources, revealed that Iranian and Saudi officials met in Baghdad in April, their first high-level meeting since Riyadh cut diplomatic ties with Tehran in 2016. “The purpose of the talks was both bilateral and regional,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told reporters. The neighbouring countries cut ties in 2016 after Iranian protestors attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the kingdom’s execution of a revered Shiite cleric. Iran backs the Houthis, who are battling the Saudi-led military that intervened in Yemen’s war in 2015.

Source: The Hindu May 10, 2021 16:45 UTC