Seven years after Iran cut off its diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia over Riyadh's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, the restoration of Tehran-Riyadh relations may very well take place. The possibility of bilateral restoration of relations between the two west asian rivals is expected after Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said that two sides are looking for ways to normalise relations between the two sides.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-it-and-saudi-arabia-interested-in-more-talks-497147">Iran-Saudi Arabia interested in more talks</a>

"There was an agreement in our points of view to continue with the Saudi-Iran dialogue in what would eventually normalise relations between the two countries," Amirabdollahian told a group of reporters on Friday in Beirut, while referring to the meeting with his Saudi counterpart in Jordan last month.&nbsp;

This was the highest level of interaction between Saudi Arabia and Iran since 2016.

"We welcome the restoration of normal relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Amirabdollahian said. The hope, he added, is that eventually "we reach (an agreement on) reopening diplomatic missions and embassies in Riyadh and Tehran."

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-west-asia-post-is-iran-trying-to-med-its-ties-with-saudi-arabia-529247">The West Asia Post | Is Iran trying to mend its ties with Saudi Arabia?</a>

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The Saudi-Iran talks began in April 2021 with an aim for bilateral restoration of diplomatic relations. The talks, brokered by Iraq, were viewed as important given the long history of friction between the Shia and Sunni powerhouses respectively.&nbsp;

Iran-Saudi Arabia conflict

The Iran-Saudi Arabia proxy conflict, also referred as the Middle Eastern Cold War, is an ongoing struggle for influence in West Asia between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Riyadh sees itself&nbsp;as the leader of Islamic world due to presence of Islam's holiest sites in Saudi Arabia. This notion was challenged after 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran, following which the Shia-majority Iran began asserting its authority in West Asia.&nbsp;

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Seven years after Iran cut off its diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia over Riyadh's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, the restoration of Tehran-Riyadh relations may very well take place.

Seven years after Iran cut off its diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia over Riyadh's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, the restoration of Tehran-Riyadh relations may very well take place. The possibility of bilateral restoration of relations between the two west asian rivals is expected after Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said that two sides are looking for ways to normalise relations between the two sides. ALSO READ | Iran-Saudi Arabia interested in more talks "There was an agreement in our points of view to continue with the Saudi-Iran dialogue in what would eventually normalise relations between the two countries," Amirabdollahian told a group of reporters on Friday in Beirut, while referring to the meeting with his Saudi counterpart in Jordan last month. This was the highest level of interaction between Saudi Arabia and Iran since 2016. "We welcome the restoration of normal relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Amirabdollahian said. The hope, he added, is that eventually "we reach (an agreement on) reopening diplomatic missions and embassies in Riyadh and Tehran." ALSO WATCH | The West Asia Post | Is Iran trying to mend its ties with Saudi Arabia? × The Saudi-Iran talks began in April 2021 with an aim for bilateral restoration of diplomatic relations. The talks, brokered by Iraq, were viewed as important given the long history of friction between the Shia and Sunni powerhouses respectively. Iran-Saudi Arabia conflict The Iran-Saudi Arabia proxy conflict, also referred as the Middle Eastern Cold War, is an ongoing struggle for influence in West Asia between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Riyadh sees itself as the leader of Islamic world due to presence of Islam's holiest sites in Saudi Arabia. This notion was challenged after 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran, following which the Shia-majority Iran began asserting its authority in West Asia. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iran-Saudi Arabia close on restoration of bilateral ties after latest talks

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister says that if Iran gets nuclear weapons, then "All bets are off." What does that mean? How will it change the geopolitical scenario in West Asia? @PriyankaSh25 brings you the details.

WION Fineprint | Saudi: All bets off if Iran gets Nukes

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fire-strikes-saudi-high-speed-train-station-at-least-five-injured-252699">Saudi Arabia's crown prince</a> warned in an interview broadcast on Sunday that oil prices could spike to "unimaginably high numbers" if the world does not come together to deter Iran, but said he would prefer a political solution to a military one.

Speaking to the CBS programme "60 Minutes," Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, also denied that he ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi operatives nearly a year ago, but said he ultimately bears "full responsibility" as the leader of his country.

While Khashoggi's death sparked a global uproar and tarnished the crown prince's reputation, the Trump administration's tense standoff with Iran, Saudi Arabia's arch-foe, has more recently dominated US&nbsp;policy toward Riyadh, especially after the September&nbsp;14 attacks on the heartland of the Saudi oil industry.

"If the world does not take a strong and firm action to deter Iran, we will see further escalations that will threaten world interests," the crown prince said. "Oil supplies will be disrupted and oil prices will jump to unimaginably high numbers that we haven’t seen in our lifetimes."

The crown prince, in an interview conducted on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, said he agreed with US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the September&nbsp;14 attacks, which damaged the world's biggest petroleum-processing facility and knocked out more than 5 per cent&nbsp;of global oil supply, were an act of war by Iran.

But he said he preferred a peaceful resolution because a war between Saudi Arabia and Iran would collapse the global economy.

The United States, European powers and Saudi Arabia have blamed the attacks on Iran. Tehran has denied any involvement. Instead, the Iran-aligned Yemeni Houthi rebel group claimed responsibility.

"The political and peaceful solution is much better than the military one," he said.

The crown prince also said US&nbsp;President Donald Trump should meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to craft a new deal on Tehran's nuclear program and influence across the Middle East.

Efforts to bring the two together last week at the United Nations General Assembly failed. Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated over the US&nbsp;withdrawal from an Iranian nuclear deal and its reinstatement of sanctions against Tehran.

'Absolutely not'

Days before the anniversary of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-year-on-saudi-struggles-to-turn-page-on-khashoggi-murder-252688">killing of Khashoggi</a> in a Saudi consulate in Turkey, the crown prince said: "Absolutely not," when asked if he ordered the murder.

But he said he took full responsibility for the killing, "since it was committed by individuals working for the Saudi government."

"This was a mistake. And I must take all actions to avoid such a thing in the future," the crown prince said of the killing, which he called "heinous."

The CIA and some Western governments have said they believe he ordered it, but Saudi officials have repeatedly said he had no role.

After initial denials, the official Saudi narrative blamed the murder on rogue operatives. The public prosecutor said the then-deputy intelligence chief ordered the repatriation of Khashoggi, a royal insider who became an outspoken critic, but the lead negotiator ordered him killed after discussions for his return failed.

Asked how the killing could have happened without him knowing about it," the crown prince said: "Some think that I should know what 3 million people working for the Saudi government do daily? It's impossible that the 3 million would send their daily reports to the leader or the second highest person in the Saudi government."

He insisted that "the investigations are being carried out, and once charges are proven against someone, regardless of their rank, it will be taken to court, no exception made."

Eleven Saudi suspects have been put on trial in secretive proceedings but only a few hearings have been held. A U.N. report has called for Prince Mohammed and other senior Saudi officials to be investigated.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, was last seen at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October&nbsp;2, where he was to receive papers ahead of his wedding. His body was dismembered and removed from the building, according to reports, and his remains have not been found.

Asked about criticism of the Saudis in the US&nbsp;Congress over the Khashoggi killing and the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen, which has taken a huge civilian toll, the crown prince said: "The (US-Saudi) relationship is much larger than that."

Trump has resisted congressional efforts to block US&nbsp;arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/attacked-saudi-border-frontline-captured-troops-houthis-252644">The crown prince</a> also repeated a Saudi call for Iran to halt its support for Houthi forces in Yemen and said he was open to "all initiatives for a political solution" to end the war there.

Saudi Arabia's crown prince warned in an interview broadcast on Sunday that oil prices could spike to "unimaginably high numbers" if the world does not come together to deter Iran, but said he would prefer a political solution to a military one.

Saudi Arabia's crown prince warned in an interview broadcast on Sunday that oil prices could spike to "unimaginably high numbers" if the world does not come together to deter Iran, but said he would prefer a political solution to a military one. Speaking to the CBS programme "60 Minutes," Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, also denied that he ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi operatives nearly a year ago, but said he ultimately bears "full responsibility" as the leader of his country. While Khashoggi's death sparked a global uproar and tarnished the crown prince's reputation, the Trump administration's tense standoff with Iran, Saudi Arabia's arch-foe, has more recently dominated US policy toward Riyadh, especially after the September 14 attacks on the heartland of the Saudi oil industry. "If the world does not take a strong and firm action to deter Iran, we will see further escalations that will threaten world interests," the crown prince said. "Oil supplies will be disrupted and oil prices will jump to unimaginably high numbers that we haven’t seen in our lifetimes." The crown prince, in an interview conducted on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, said he agreed with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the September 14 attacks, which damaged the world's biggest petroleum-processing facility and knocked out more than 5 per cent of global oil supply, were an act of war by Iran. But he said he preferred a peaceful resolution because a war between Saudi Arabia and Iran would collapse the global economy. The United States, European powers and Saudi Arabia have blamed the attacks on Iran. Tehran has denied any involvement. Instead, the Iran-aligned Yemeni Houthi rebel group claimed responsibility. "The political and peaceful solution is much better than the military one," he said. The crown prince also said US President Donald Trump should meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to craft a new deal on Tehran's nuclear program and influence across the Middle East. Efforts to bring the two together last week at the United Nations General Assembly failed. Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated over the US withdrawal from an Iranian nuclear deal and its reinstatement of sanctions against Tehran. 'Absolutely not' Days before the anniversary of the killing of Khashoggi in a Saudi consulate in Turkey, the crown prince said: "Absolutely not," when asked if he ordered the murder. But he said he took full responsibility for the killing, "since it was committed by individuals working for the Saudi government." "This was a mistake. And I must take all actions to avoid such a thing in the future," the crown prince said of the killing, which he called "heinous." The CIA and some Western governments have said they believe he ordered it, but Saudi officials have repeatedly said he had no role. After initial denials, the official Saudi narrative blamed the murder on rogue operatives. The public prosecutor said the then-deputy intelligence chief ordered the repatriation of Khashoggi, a royal insider who became an outspoken critic, but the lead negotiator ordered him killed after discussions for his return failed. Asked how the killing could have happened without him knowing about it," the crown prince said: "Some think that I should know what 3 million people working for the Saudi government do daily? It's impossible that the 3 million would send their daily reports to the leader or the second highest person in the Saudi government." He insisted that "the investigations are being carried out, and once charges are proven against someone, regardless of their rank, it will be taken to court, no exception made." Eleven Saudi suspects have been put on trial in secretive proceedings but only a few hearings have been held. A U.N. report has called for Prince Mohammed and other senior Saudi officials to be investigated. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, was last seen at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, where he was to receive papers ahead of his wedding. His body was dismembered and removed from the building, according to reports, and his remains have not been found. Asked about criticism of the Saudis in the US Congress over the Khashoggi killing and the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen, which has taken a huge civilian toll, the crown prince said: "The (US-Saudi) relationship is much larger than that." Trump has resisted congressional efforts to block US arms sales to Saudi Arabia. The crown prince also repeated a Saudi call for Iran to halt its support for Houthi forces in Yemen and said he was open to "all initiatives for a political solution" to end the war there.

Saudi crown prince warns of escalation with Iran, says he prefers political solution

Saudi Arabia has<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-supplying-missiles-to-yemen-rebels-is-direct-military-aggression-saudi-crown-prince-salman-23661"> asked its citizens to leave Lebanon</a> as the Hezbollah&#39;s parliamentary bloc called on Saudi Arabia to &quot;stop interfering&quot;&nbsp;in Lebanese affairs.

Saad al-Hariri had resigned as prime minister on Saturday while still in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon believes Hariri is being held in the Saudi Kingdom.

&nbsp;A senior Lebanese politician told Reuters: &quot;When he went (to Saudi Arabia) he was asked to stay there and ordered to resign. They ordered him to read his resignation statement and he has been held under house arrest since.&quot;

Saudi Arabia has denied he&nbsp;is under house arrest. The Saudi government said Hezbollah which is part Hariri&#39;s coalition had &quot;hijacked&quot; Lebanon&#39;s political system.

During his&nbsp;resignation speech from Saudi Arabia, Hariri had slammed Iran and Hezbollah adding that he feared being assassinated.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia said its citizens should leave Lebanon &quot;as soon as possible&quot;.

A foreign ministry source told AFP, quoting state news agency SPA, also called on Saudis not to travel to Lebanon because of &quot;the situation&quot; in the country, without elaborating.

Saad al-Hariri had resigned as prime minister on Saturday while still in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has asked its citizens to leave Lebanon as the Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc called on Saudi Arabia to "stop interfering" in Lebanese affairs. Saad al-Hariri had resigned as prime minister on Saturday while still in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon believes Hariri is being held in the Saudi Kingdom. A senior Lebanese politician told Reuters: "When he went (to Saudi Arabia) he was asked to stay there and ordered to resign. They ordered him to read his resignation statement and he has been held under house arrest since." Saudi Arabia has denied he is under house arrest. The Saudi government said Hezbollah which is part Hariri's coalition had "hijacked" Lebanon's political system. During his resignation speech from Saudi Arabia, Hariri had slammed Iran and Hezbollah adding that he feared being assassinated. Saudi Arabia said its citizens should leave Lebanon "as soon as possible". A foreign ministry source told AFP, quoting state news agency SPA, also called on Saudis not to travel to Lebanon because of "the situation" in the country, without elaborating.

Saudi Arabia orders citizens to leave Lebanon over Hariri crisis