“We are optimistic about the future of the relations between Tehran and Riyadh and we hope to witness positive steps by the al-Saud in this regard,” Amir Abdollahian said in an interview with the parliament’s news website on Monday.
He referred to the empowerment of the new king in Saudi Arabia as well as the Iranian top diplomat’s short trip to Riyadh to participate in the funeral ceremony of the late Saudi king, and said, “Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s visit to Saudi Arabia at this juncture heralded a turning point in the relations between the two countries.”
Zarif left Switzerland for Saudi Arabia on Saturday morning to participate in the commemorating ceremony of late King Abdullah.
Zarif was in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22 to attend the 45th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.
King Abdullah died at a hospital in Riyadh, where he had been receiving medical treatment for several weeks.
King Abdullah, who was admitted to the King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh in late December, had been suffering from pneumonia and was reportedly breathing with the help of a tube.
New Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz was named as Saudi crown prince in June 2012 after the death of Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz. Salman has recently represented King Abdullah at most public events because of the monarch's ailing health.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani extended his congratulations to Salman bin Abdulaziz who took power in Riyadh after demise of King Abdullah on Friday.
President Rouhani, in his message on Saturday, expressed the hope that during tenure of the new King, relations between Tehran and Riyadh would further develop in all fields.
He said that the religious and historical affinities would help bolster ties and cooperation between the two countries.
"I do pray to Almighty God to bestow success and prosperity on the Saudi nation and government," Rouhani said.
