Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham has described the relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia as normal and expressed hope for the promotion of ties between the two Middle East powers, PressTV reported.
"In general, Iran's relations with the regional countries including Saudi Arabia are taking their normal course," Afkham said on Tuesday.
She pointed to the Iranian Foreign Ministry's plans to promote ties with Saudi Arabia and noted, "Naturally, as Iran's new ambassador to Saudi Arabia takes office, there are some plans so that we may have a new assessment of diplomatic activities."
In late June, Iran's Foreign Ministry announced the appointment of Hossein Sadeqi as Tehran's new ambassador to Riyadh.
"We are optimistic that a new climate will prevail regarding [ties with] Saudi Arabia within the framework of relations with other regional countries," Afkham pointed out.
On Sunday, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal voiced his country's readiness to improve and expand bilateral relations with Iran.
The two key Middle East players are divided on a number of regional issues such as the situation in Syria and Bahrain.
Tehran has always been critical of Riyadh's support for the heavy-handed crackdown of the Bahraini regime on peaceful protesters.
Riyadh also supports militants fighting the Syrian government, while Iran stresses the importance of resolving the crisis in Syria through political approaches.