Iran has designated an ambassador to Saudi Arabia, official media announced Wednesday, capping a seven-year thaw in relations between the regional foes.
Alireza Enayati, the new envoy, formerly served as Iran’s ambassador to Kuwait, as an assistant to the foreign minister, and as the foreign ministry’s director general of Gulf relations.
There was no instant confirmation of his appointment from the Islamic republic’s foreign ministry.
After years of conflict, the Middle East’s heavyweights struck an unexpected reconciliation accord in China on March 10.
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Saudi Arabia suspended ties with Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad were stormed during protests against the kingdom’s death of Shiite preacher Nimr al-Nimr.
Before signing the reconciliation deal, the two governments undertook rounds of talks in Iraq and Oman.
For years, they had supported opposite parties in conflict zones around the Middle East before repairing fences.
Saudi Arabia led a military coalition in Yemen in support of the internationally recognized government, while Iran backed the Huthi rebels who hold the capital Sanaa and significant portions of the north.
