Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Baqeri Kani (L) and the Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi (R), in Oman. March 13, 2023. (IRNA)

Iran's top nuclear negotiator and deputy foreign minister for political affairs stated on Monday that "mutual political confidence" is critical to the success of Iran's neighborliness policy, which seeks regional peace and prosperity.

Iranian diplomat Ali Bagheri Kani cited the recent rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia as the outcome of Tehran's successful neighborliness policy during a meeting with Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi in Muscat on Sunday.

Praising Oman’s constructive role, the senior diplomat said, “The agreement between Riyadh and Tehran to start a new era of relations showed that the neighborliness policy is the administration’s smart strategy to secure the country’s national interests and advance foreign policy goals.”

Bagheri Kani added that the key to the success of Iran’s policy is mutual political trust, adding that "the purpose of this strategic policy is to establish stability and calm in the region and enhance economic cooperation in order to promote development in all countries and prosperity for all regional nations."

Iran-KSA ties

Following days of intensive talks in Beijing, Iran, and Saudi Arabia agreed on Friday to resume their diplomatic ties and reopen their embassies seven years after relations were severed.

In a joint statement, Tehran and Riyadh emphasized the importance of respecting each other's national sovereignty and refraining from interfering in one another's domestic affairs.

They decided to put into effect a security collaboration agreement signed in April 2001, as well as another agreement signed in May 1998 to increase economic, commercial, investment, technical, scientific, cultural, sports, and youth affairs cooperation.

For his part, the top Omani diplomat welcomed the Iran-Saudi deal, saying it will be of service to strengthening the spirit of cooperation and greater interaction among regional states.

The two sides also exchanged views on bilateral and regional issues during the meeting, as well as regional negotiations to boost peace and security.

The big picture

After seven years of strained ties, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relations and re-open their embassies after a series of talks brokered in Beijing, China, under the auspices of Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday.

According to the joint statement, "The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have agreed to resume diplomatic ties and reopen embassies and missions within two months of talks."

Moreover, Iran and Saudi Arabia said they "thank the Republic of Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman for hosting the talks held between the two sides in 2021 and 2022, as well as the leaders and government of the People's Republic of China for hosting and supporting the talks held in that country."