Maldives decides to resume diplomatic ties with Iran

The Government of Maldives has decided to resume diplomatic ties with Iran following the deal reached between Saudi Arabia and Iran to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies and missions.

Maldivian Foreign Ministry, In a statement on Friday night, welcomed the agreement reached between Saudi Arabia and Iran to resume diplomatic relations – following discussions mediated by China.

“The Government of the Republic of Maldives welcomes the Joint Trilateral Statement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the People’s Republic of China announcing that an agreement has been reached between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran that includes an agreement to resume diplomatic relations between the two countries and reopen their embassies and missions and the affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs of states,” the statement read.

Foreign Ministry, in their statement, also announced Maldivian government’s decision to resume diplomatic ties with Iran in light of the positive developments.

Tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran was triggered by Saudi Arabia’s execution of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr in January 2, 2016. Iran is a country with a Shia majority. Iranians protesting against Al-Nimr’s execution stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran and set it ablaze.

Subsequently, many countries siding with Saudi Arabia, including Sudan and Bahrain cut off diplomatic ties with Iran. Maldives also severed diplomatic ties with Iran during this wave which marked the first time Maldives, at its own initiation, cut off diplomatic ties with a country after the establishment of the relations.