Saudi Arabia's king and crown prince congratulated Masoud Pezeshkian on his election as Iran's president, state news agency reports SPA reported on Saturday.
“I affirm my interest in developing and deepening relations between our countries and peoples and serving our mutual interests,” SPA Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said:
In March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia signed a historic agreement brokered by China to restore relations after years of regional rivalry.
Friday's runoff was between Pezeshkian, the only moderate among the four original candidates, and hardline former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili.
Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old heart surgeon, has pledged to promote a pragmatic foreign policy, ease tensions over now-stalled negotiations with major powers to revive a 2015 nuclear pact and improve prospects for social liberalization and political pluralism.
But many Iranians are skeptical of his ability to deliver on his campaign promises because Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, not the president, is the ultimate authority in the Islamic Republic.
“Dear people of Iran, the elections are over and this is just the beginning of our joint work. A difficult road lies ahead. It can only be made easier with your cooperation, empathy and trust,” Pezeshkian said in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
“I extend my hand to you and swear on my honor that I will not abandon you on this path. Don't you abandon me.”
Turnout in Friday's election was nearly 50%, following a record low turnout in the first round on June 28, when more than 60% of Iranian voters abstained. The election was called after President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash in May.
After a seven-year rift, Saudi Arabia and Iran have resumed relations thanks to a surprise deal brokered by China and announced in March last year.
Since then, the two Middle Eastern powers, which have often supported opposing sides in regional conflicts, have stepped up their contacts.
Iranian ultra-conservative Raisi traveled to Riyadh in November for a summit on the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The emir of Kuwait, another Gulf state, also sent a congratulatory cable to Pezeshkian, wishing “further prosperity and development” for the Islamic republic, Kuwait's official spokesman said. KUNA News Agency saying.
