Tehran, Iran - November 10, 2024 Chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Baqeri held talks with visiting General Chief of Staff Fayyad al-Ruwaili of the Saudi armed forces in Tehran on Sunday, for discussions on defense cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia. During the meeting, Baqeri said this meeting is of particular significance to the region, stressing that the two sides should continue to enhance bilateral military cooperation. Baqeri also extended an invitation for Saudi naval forces to participate in an Iranian maritime exercise planned for next year, either as an active participant or observer. Speaking on the same occasion, Al-Ruwaili said the agreement for diplomatic rapprochement signed between Iran and Saudi Arabia in Beijing last year has set up a good foundation for strengthening bilateral cooperation, and that Saudi Arabia believes that the agreement is a strategic opportunity. This high-level military engagement follows the Beijing-sponsored restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran in April 2023, ending a seven-year freeze. Riyadh had severed diplomatic ties with Tehran in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the kingdom's execution of a Shiite cleric. Shotlist: Tehran, Iran - Nov 10, 2024: 1. Various of Mohammad Baqeri, chief of staff of Iranian Armed Forces, shaking hands, greeting with General Chief of Staff Fayyad al-Ruwaili of Saudi armed forces; walking into meeting venue; 2. Various of talks between Baqeri, al-Ruwaili in progress; other officials; FILE: Tehran, Iran - Date Unknown 3. Various of cityscape, traffic; Iranian national flag; FILE: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Dec 2022 4. Various of national flags of Saudi Arabia, cityscape, traffic. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International TV]