An ambassador of Iran has been named from Kuwait for the first time in more than six years after Kuwait severed ties with the Islamic Republic in 2016. Bader Abdullah Al-Munaikh, the Ambassador named, has handed his credentials to Hossein Amirabdollahian, the Iranian Foreign Minister. Further confirmation came from Kuwait’s foreign ministry to say that Munaikh will be leading the job.

Saudi Arabia is also working to improve ties with Iran. The two countries have been conflicted due to Iran being a Shi’ite country and Saudi Arabia being a Sunni Muslim powerhouse. Riyadh has broken ties with Tehran in January of 2016 after an attack on the Saudi Embassy by Iranian protestors.

Kuwait has recalled its envoy to Iran as other Gulf Arab states cut off ties to rally behind Riyadh. Relations between Tehran and Kuwait have remained in relatively good faith and health with a foreign policy/treaty balancing the ties. The UAE is also working to get an ambassador in Iran as it too is seeking a rebuild of ties.

Last year, Saudi Arabia led the charge with direct talks between them and Iran. There have since been nearly five rounds of talks moderated by Iraq but discussions have not “been enough,” according to Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister.