Reopening of Saudi Embassy in Tehran Further Postponed

The anticipated reopening of the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, as part of an agreement to restore diplomatic relations, has faced further delays.

The agreement, signed in March in Beijing, stipulated that the two countries would reopen their embassies within two months. However, the timeline for the reopening of the Saudi embassy in Tehran remains unclear. Alireza Enayati, the designated Iranian ambassador to Riyadh, said that the Saudi embassy will reopen but "at a time they see fit."

Enayati expressed his observations on Saudi Arabia's approach, stating, "what we see from the notes and actions of Saudi Arabia is that the country is trying to open its embassy when it suits them." Despite not yet submitting his credentials to the Saudi authorities after being appointed as ambassador, Enayati remains hopeful for progress.

The Iranian Embassy in Saudi Arabia was reopened in mid-June, following a one-month delay, marking the restoration of diplomatic relations after seven years of closure.

In response to repeated postponements, some media outlets speculated that the Saudi embassy might reopen after the religious holiday of Eid al-Adha in late June. However, the Saudi authorities have yet to offer any official explanation regarding the possible reopening of their embassy in Tehran.

Recent reports indicated the deployment of Saudi diplomats to the Espinas Palace Hotel in Tehran's north. Jahan Sanat newspaper highlighted the hotel's strategic advantage for embassy personnel and diplomats, as it includes a helipad that enhances their security during potential emergencies or attacks.

However, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson has raised concerns about the potential establishment of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel and how that may impact Iran. These comments come in line with comments from US President Joe Biden who indicated that an agreement on the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel is likely.