Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

Saudi source: Iran sought talks with us before the Beijing agreement

Saudi source: Iran sought talks with us before the Beijing agreement

The Iranians were seeking to hold meetings with senior Saudi officials well before concluding the historic agreement between the two countries, brokered by China, according to a well-informed Saudi source.
The source stated that Beijing helped Riyadh put pressure on the Iranian side during the negotiations.

After five days of marathon talks in the Chinese capital, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed on March 10 to resume diplomatic relations severed in 2016 and to reopen their embassies within two months.

The Saudi negotiating team included representatives from the ministries of defense and foreign affairs, intelligence and state security, the Saudi source revealed on Thursday.

The Saudi-Iranian negotiations focused on three major points, the source pointed out.

Negotiations with Iran included respect for the sovereignty of states, the source said, explaining that Riyadh could cooperate with Tehran to serve both parties, Al-Arabiya.net reported.

China had a great interest in the stability and smoothness of trade and navigation in the Gulf, the source said while stressing that the Chinese role increased reassurance of Iran’s commitment to the agreement with Saudi Arabia as pointed out by The Wall Street Journal.

The source stated that Tehran’s approach to the conflict in Yemen would be a real test of its intentions, especially since it had agreed to stop arming the Houthis.

He also stressed the existence of a bilateral security and defense commitment with Iran not to attack each other militarily, or at security and intelligence levels.

The timing of agreement with Iran was not a surprise as far as Saudi Arabia is concerned, the source said while explaining that Riyadh had informed its allies, including the United States, before going to Beijing and signing the agreement with Iran. “We received the support and blessing of our allies to sign the agreement with Iran,” he said while reiterating that the Kingdom is not a party to the conflict between the West and China.

Regarding the details of the agreement, the source revealed “it is confidential and cannot be disclosed. A high-level tripartite committee will meet periodically to follow up on the implementation of the agreement.”

According to the source, a period of two months gives an opportunity to ascertain the seriousness on the part of Iranians. “Riyadh wants the Iranian people to experience the renaissance and development that their Saudi counterpart is experiencing,” he added.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan confirmed that the agreement to resume diplomatic relations does not mean the resolution of all the differences between the two parties. He made it clear that the agreement to restore relations confirms the common desire to resolve differences through dialogue.

After the agreement, a tripartite statement was issued by the three countries that included the provisions stipulated therein, including an affirmation of the sovereignty of each country and non-interference in internal affairs. There is also another provision in the agreement under which the Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers would hold a meeting to activate the arrangement for the exchange of ambassadors and to discuss ways to strengthen relations between them.

The meeting would also seek to activate the general agreement for cooperation in the field of economy, trade, investment, technology, science, culture, sports, and youth that was signed in 1998.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Alleged Mossad Operatives After Sabotage Claims
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Black Box Recovered from Air India Crash Site
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Global News Roundup: From Ukraine's strategic military strikes and Russia's demands and Tensions Escalate in Ukraine, to serious legal issues faced by Britons in Bali and Trump's media criticism, the latest developments highlight a turbulent landscape
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
×