Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (right) shakes hands with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan in Tehran on June 17, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

TEHRAN - Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud arrived in Tehran on Saturday afternoon, beginning his first visit to the Iranian capital after severed bilateral ties were resumed months ago, semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported.

Upon arrival, the Saudi minister was welcomed by his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, with whom he is expected to meet later in the day, the report said.

Iran and Saudi Arabia announced in April the resumption of diplomatic relations with immediate effect

The top Saudi diplomat, who was accompanying Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in a visit to France, directly flew from Paris to Tehran, according to Tasnim.

Iran and Saudi Arabia announced in April the resumption of diplomatic relations with immediate effect.

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Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in 2016 in response to the attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran after the kingdom executed a Shiite cleric.

The visiting Saudi foreign minister said that the Saudi embassy will soon reopen in Iran's capital Tehran, the Iranian Students' News Agency reported.

He made the remarks at a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, following their meeting in Tehran earlier in the day.

Saudi Arabia and Iran are currently making efforts to continue diplomatic measures in the two countries, he said. Iran earlier reopened its embassy in Riyadh as well as consulate general and representative office to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah.

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The top Saudi diplomat noted that the normalization of the bilateral ties is of importance as the two countries are important players in the region and such relations are based on the principles of mutual respect, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and commitment to the UN Charter.

The Iranian foreign minister, for his part, said his country has provided the necessary facilities for Saudi Arabia's diplomatic operations in Tehran and the northeastern city of Mashhad.