Maldives has re-established diplomatic ties with Iran after 7 years.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Abdulla Khaleel and Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Amir Abdullahiain met on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly yesterday.

Following the meeting, the two countries made a joint announcement, in which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement yesterday that the decision to re-establish ties with Iran was taken because of the hope and interest of the people of the two countries.

According to the ministry, the two sides discussed ways to promote friendship, equality and maintain unity between the two countries.

"We also agreed to strengthen investment-business ties and cooperation in transport and technology," the statement said.

Relations with Iran, which had been established for 40 years, were abruptly severed in May 2016 under former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, citing that Iran was obstructing peace in the Gulf region. Saudi Arabia, which relies heavily on the country's foreign policy making in the Middle East, had severed ties with Iran at the time.

During Yameen's tenure, the Maldives also severed its relations with Qatar following a Saudi decision, but in 2021, the Maldives restored it.

The re-establishment of relations with Iran comes at a time when China has begun efforts to improve relations with other countries through China. In March this year, Saudi Arabia also re-established foreign relations with Iran and reopened embassies of both countries.