China's Mediation Leads to Reconciliation Between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Says Wang

China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, praised the improving ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which were brokered by China in March, and called it a "wave of reconciliation" in the Middle East. Wang pledged China's firm support for Iran on issues concerning core interests and expressed appreciation for Iran's recent steps to improve relations with Saudi Arabia. He also called for the full resumption of the Iran nuclear deal and expressed China's commitment to supporting countries in the Middle East in finding their own development path. The surprise detente between Iran and Saudi Arabia followed years of bitter rivalry and was driven by their deteriorating relations with the United States.