The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent congratulatory telegrams to His Excellency President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the occasion of his country’s National Day.
In his telegram, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques expressed his sincerest congratulations and best wishes for continued health and happiness to His Excellency, and for further progress and prosperity to the government and people of the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also conveyed his warmest congratulations and best wishes for continued health and happiness to His Excellency, and for further progress and prosperity to the government and people of Iran.
Historical background of Iranian National Day
Iranians celebrate their National Day on February 11th each year, commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. This event marked a pivotal turning point in modern Iranian history, leading to the overthrow of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's regime and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Since then, the day has become a national holiday, marked by public celebrations and military parades that recall the events of the revolution and reaffirm its principles.
The importance of congratulations in the context of regional relations
This congratulatory message is particularly significant given the recent positive developments in relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. After years of diplomatic estrangement that began in 2016, relations witnessed a historic breakthrough in March 2023, mediated by China, when the two countries agreed to resume diplomatic ties and reopen their embassies. This message underscores the continued positive momentum in the normalization process and the strengthening of dialogue and understanding between the two major regional powers.
Expected impact on regional stability
The improvement in relations between Riyadh and Tehran has implications not only for the two countries themselves but also for the entire Middle East region. This rapprochement is seen as a crucial step towards easing regional tensions and contributing to political solutions for numerous crises, such as the situations in Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon. Furthermore, enhanced cooperation between them could open new horizons for economic stability and development in the region, benefiting all its peoples. Such high-level diplomatic initiatives are a strong indication of a shared desire to build a more secure and prosperous future for the region.
