Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, arrived in Tehran on Saturday amid a rapprochement between the two Middle East arch-rivals.

The visit is the first by a Saudi foreign minister to Iran since the two countries severed ties in 2016. It comes after Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed in March to end their diplomatic rift and re-establish relations following years of hostility.

The kingdom broke ties with Iran in 2016 after protesters invaded Saudi diplomatic posts there. Saudi Arabia had executed a prominent Shi'ite Muslim cleric with 46 others days earlier, triggering the demonstrations.

The two countries have been at odds over a number of issues, including the war in Yemen, the Syrian civil war, and the nuclear program of Iran. However, there have been signs of a thaw in relations in recent months.

In March, the two countries agreed to a roadmap for restoring ties, which includes reopening embassies and resuming flights. The agreement was brokered by China, which has been seeking to mediate between the two countries.

The visit by Prince Faisal is seen as a sign that the two countries are serious about improving relations. It remains to be seen whether the rapprochement will lead to a lasting thaw, but the visit is a positive step towards reducing tensions in the Middle East.

What does this mean for the region?

The rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia is a significant development for the Middle East. The two countries have been rivals for decades, and their rivalry has often played out in proxy wars across the region.

The thaw in relations could lead to a reduction in tensions in the region. It could also open up the possibility of cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia on issues of common interest, such as the fight against terrorism.

However, it is too early to say whether the rapprochement will be successful. There are still a number of obstacles that need to be overcome, such as the war in Yemen and the nuclear program of Iran.

Only time will tell whether the rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia will lead to a lasting peace in the Middle East.