Riyadh/Tehran, 06 July 2024- Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has congratulated Iran's newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian, and expressed a keen interest in enhancing bilateral relations. This gesture underscores a significant thaw in relations between the two regional powers.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Saturday that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman conveyed his congratulations and reiterated his commitment to deepening ties between the nations. The SPA quoted the Crown Prince affirming his "interest in developing and deepening relations between countries and peoples and protecting bilateral interests."

This development follows a landmark agreement brokered by China in March 2023, which normalized relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia after years of hostility. Since the agreement, both nations have engaged in ongoing discussions aimed at strengthening their diplomatic and economic ties.

Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist and former heart surgeon, was elected Iran's new president on Saturday, securing 53.3 percent of the vote. His victory over hardline conservative candidate Saeed Jalili, who received 44.3 percent of the votes, marks a significant shift in Iran's political landscape.

Pezeshkian is known for his critical stance against Iran's moral police and has pledged to work towards preventing Iran's isolation from the international community while promoting unity and solidarity within the country.

The exchange of goodwill messages between Saudi Arabia and Iran's new administration is seen as a hopeful sign for regional stability and cooperation, potentially ushering in a new era of diplomatic relations in the Middle East.