Iran and Saudi Arabia agree to renew diplomatic relations after seven year rift

Middle East regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to renew diplomatic relations, seven years after severing them in a bitter row.

The unexpected announcement came after four days of talks between senior officials from both sides in China.

Tensions between the two countries have been high since Saudi Arabia cut ties in January 2016, after demonstrators stormed its embassy in Tehran following Riyadh's execution of a prominent Shia Muslim cleric.