How Iran and Gulf Arab states moved from confrontation to the 2023 Saudi deal

March 2023: the agreement in Beijing

Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed in March 2023 to restore diplomatic ties following negotiations hosted by China in Beijing on March 6–10. Their joint statement set a deadline of no more than two months for reopening diplomatic missions. It followed Saudi–Iranian dialogue hosted by Iraq and Oman during 2021–2022.

The agreement addressed both diplomatic representation and broader relations. The two governments committed to respecting sovereignty and refraining from interference in domestic affairs. They also said their foreign ministers would meet to put the accord into effect and arrange the return of ambassadors.

1979: revolution in Iran

According to the US National Archives, the revolution against Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s government developed between January 1978 and February 1979. The Shah left Iran on January 16, 1979, and Ayatollah Khomeini returned on February 1. The monarchy ended on February 11; a referendum preceded the proclamation of the Islamic Republic on April 1.

1980–1988: war and Gulf shipping

Iraq invaded Iran on September 22, 1980, according to the National Archives. Its account identifies territorial disputes and Iraqi fears of the influence of Iranian revolutionary propaganda on Iraq’s Shiite majority among the motives for the invasion.

The war also affected maritime security beyond the battlefield. The United Nations records increasingly frequent attacks against merchant vessels, including oil tankers, in the Persian Gulf during 1986–1987. Several countries sent vessels to clear mines and escort shipping.

The Security Council adopted resolution 598 in July 1987, demanding an end to fighting and withdrawal to internationally recognized borders. According to the UN, the ceasefire took effect on August 20, 1988, ending almost eight years of war.

2016: attacks on Saudi diplomatic premises

Saudi Arabia and Iran submitted conflicting accounts to the UN after incidents at Saudi diplomatic premises in Tehran and Mashhad on January 2, 2016. Saudi Arabia accused Iranian authorities of failing to protect the buildings. Iran acknowledged damage and expressed regret, but said its security forces had tried to stop the assaults.

Iran’s letter linked the protests to Saudi Arabia’s execution of Sheikh Nimr that day. It also said authorities had arrested more than 40 protesters and promised prosecutions and preventive measures.

2021–2023: negotiations and earlier agreements

The Beijing statement credited Iraq and Oman with hosting the earlier dialogue. It also committed Saudi Arabia and Iran to implementing two existing accords: a security agreement signed in April 2001 and a May 1998 cooperation agreement covering fields including trade, investment, science and culture.

The March 2023 announcement recorded commitments rather than confirmation that diplomatic missions had reopened. Its timetable alone does not establish when those steps were completed.

Other Gulf diplomatic channels

Qatar has described a separate mediation role between the United States and Iran. In an undated foreign ministry briefing, Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Hashmi said exchanges of messages were continuing and that negotiable solutions needed to address both parties’ concerns.

The UAE foreign ministry has also announced that its ambassador was resuming duties in Iran following earlier discussions. The announcement does not establish the date or circumstances of that return.