Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Iran has looked abandoned for years. It was stormed by Iranian protesters back in 2016, and it closed – an extreme low point in the two countries’ relations. A dramatic breakthrough in March led to a landmark agreement to restore ties, brokered in China. Now, both countries’ embassies are set to reopen, turning a page on seven frosty years. So what does restoring relations mean for these two powerful neighbors whose historically fractious relationship has defined the region – and, at times, the globe?

In this episode: 

• Dorsa Jabbari (@DorsaJabbari), Al Jazeera correspondent
• Aziz Alghashian (@AzizAlghashian), Fellow, Project SEPAD

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Amy Walters with Ashish Malhotra and our host, Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 

Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.

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