TEHRAN- The Iranian ambassador to Riyadh, Alireza Enayati, voiced Tehran’s readiness to deepen ties with the Saudi Arabia on scientific, cultural, and religious spheres.

In a meeting held in Riyadh with Secretary General of Muslim World League Mohammed Al-Issa on Friday, Enayati considered the unity and solidarity of Islamic countries as well as the unity of Muslims as growing the capabilities of the Islamic world, and emphasized the role of Islamic centers and scholars in strengthening the position of Islam in global equations. 

He also noted that mutual meetings of Islamic scholars would lead to convergence of views, and one of the areas of cooperation is conducting joint research on new issues in the Islamic world.

He went on to add that Islamic centers and scholars of Islam can play a substantial role in fortifying the position and stance of Islam in the global equations.  

The meeting among the Islamic scholars would bring viewpoints closer, the ambassador noted.

For his part, Al-Issa highlighted the importance of fostering solidarity despite the variety and diversity of religions and sects. 

In the meeting, the two sides said deepening of religious, cultural and scientific cooperation between the Islamic Republic and Saudi Arabia would be effective in the solidarity of the Islamic World.

Last year, in remarks to the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, Enayati said, “We consider the Kingdom a strategic partner of great importance within the framework of the good neighborliness policy pursued by the current government.”

Enayati told the Saudi paper that he intended to dedicate his efforts in the upcoming period to enhance and foster relations between Tehran and Riyadh.

He emphasized that both sides are strongly determined and sincerely willing to develop these relations, expressing optimism about a promising future.

The ambassador pointed out that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had instructed him to do his utmost “to strengthen brotherly and friendly relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia.”

He added, “I express my delight at representing my country as the ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, two neighboring and influential nations in the region, the Islamic world, and globally.”

“What has been realized in the past six months heralds a prosperous future. We have a strong will to develop Iran-Saudi relations, and we have noticed the same feeling among our Saudi brothers,” he added.

Enayati stressed that this places upon him “a significant responsibility, firstly, to enhance and solidify bilateral relations and then to utilize them for the benefit of the region, based on common interests, mutual respect, and collective responsibility.”

Iran and Saudi Arabia signed a Chinese-brokered agreement on March 10.  Enayati said Tehran and Riyadh have made a lot of efforts to fully resume relations. 

Prior to the March 10 agreement, Baghdad and Muscat hosted talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia.