User:Atlanticseasalt/2001 security deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran

On April 18, 2001, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Naif and his Iranian counterpart, Abdolvahed Mousavi-Lari, signed an agreement in Tehran to cooperate on internal security issues ranging from money laundering to counter-terrorism to drug trafficking. Quoted by the Washington Post, "the agreement is the most important development in the bilateral relationship" at the time of its signing, according to Iran's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ali Asghar Khaaji. Abdolvahed Mousavi-Lari said at the press conference following the signing, "This agreement promises peace and friendship and Iran has always extended a friendly hand to its neighbors."

Relations between the two states have worsened over the past two decades, culminating in the breakdown of diplomatic relations in 2016. On March 10, 2023, in a joint statement, Saudi Arabia and Iran announced in Beijing the resumption of diplomatic relations, and the activation of the 2001 security agreement.