Flights between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which had been suspended for nearly nine years, have officially resumed with the reinstatement of the Mashhad-Dammam route.
According to the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), the first passenger plane from Mashhad landed at King Fahd International Airport (commonly known as Dammam International Airport) in Saudi Arabia. As part of the agreement between the two nations, this route will operate twice weekly, marking a significant step in restoring ties.
Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia were severed on January 3, 2016, following a series of escalating events:
On January 2, 2016, Saudi Arabia executed 47 individuals, including prominent Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr, on charges of “terrorism.”
The executions provoked widespread anger in Iran, leading to protests. Demonstrators in Tehran and Mashhad attacked and set fire to the Saudi embassy and consulate buildings.
In response, Saudi Arabia formally cut off diplomatic relations with Iran the following day.
Compounding these tensions, the Yemen crisis, which began in March 2015, further strained relations. The two nations found themselves on opposing sides of the conflict, deepening the rift.
On March 10, 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia reached a groundbreaking agreement to normalize relations. Facilitated by diplomatic initiatives from Iraq and China, the agreement includes reopening embassies in both countries, resuming direct flights, and streamlining the visa process to encourage travel and exchanges.
