Bilateral talks between Tehran and Riyadh to revive diplomatic ties, brokered by Iraq, have been temporarily suspended due to the transition of power in Iran, according to the country’s envoy in Baghdad.

Iraj Masjedi, talking to reporters on Sunday, expressed hope that the talks on issues including the re-opening of diplomatic missions by the two countries would bring “positive results”.
“Several rounds of talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia were held in Iraq, and these talks have been temporarily halted due to the change in government administration (in Tehran),” he was quoted as saying by IRNA.
Masjedi’s remarks come against the backdrop of reports that Iraq is preparing the ground for the next round of talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of an upcoming regional summit in Baghdad.

Top officials from Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey and several other Middle Eastern countries are slated to meet at the summit hosted by the Iraqi government later this month.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein was in Tehran last week to formally invite President Ebrahim Raeisi to the summit, which will be his first foreign visit since assuming office earlier this month.