Iran's embassy in Riyadh reopened its gates on Wednesday for the first time in seven years, a Reuters witness said.

The move happened under a deal to re-establish ties that could ease a long-standing rivalry that has helped fuel conflicts around the Middle East.

A Reuters reporter said that the heavy gates of the Iranian embassy's compound were open in Riyadh with a team inspecting its premises. A white truck was seen arriving at the gate.

The Iran embassy gates were opened following the arrival of an Iranian delegation in the Saudi capital of Riyadh to discuss the implementation of an agreement reached between the two sides last month to resume diplomatic relations.

In a statement on Wednesday, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said a �technical delegation� from Iran arrived in Riyadh at noon today, Wednesday, and was welcomed by Saudi officials.

�In two working groups in Riyadh and Jeddah, the Iranian delegation will take the necessary measures to set up an embassy and a consulate general, as well as the permanent representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC),� he explained.

�Efforts will be made to reopen and activate the representative offices of our country before the annual Hajj days of this year,� he added.

Kan�ani also said that the technical delegation of Saudi Arabia, which had arrived in Iran on Saturday, will leave for Mashhad tomorrow.