Nations In Region & Global Powers React To Iran-Saudi Statement

Reaction to the news of a re-establishment of Iranian-Saudi diplomatic relations are coming in from both gov'ts in the region and those further afield.

• US NSC spox John Kirby states that the Saudi's kept Washington informed of the talks, but that the US was not directly involved. Kirby posits that US sanctions assisted in the resumption of ties, saying that, "What helped bring Iran to the table was the pressure that they're under, internally and externally – not just an invitation by the Chinese to talk." Adds that Saudi Arabia should be wary as 'Iran has a history of not upholding its commitments.'
• The Turkish gov't released a statement welcoming the deal, saying that it is a "significant step taken in conformity with the rapprochement and normalization processes that have prevailed in the Middle East for a while and believe that this progress in the relations of the two countries would make important contributions to the security, stability and prosperity of our region."
• The Lebanese gov't welcomed the agreement, as did the leader of Iranian-backed Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah, whose leader called it a 'good development'.
• No reaction yet from the Israeli gov't. A number of opposition politicians, including former prime ministers Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett have criticised incumbent PM Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that the Iran-Saudi deal "...is a collapse of the regional defense wall that we have begun to build against Iran."