An open invitation by Saudi Arabia to Iran’s foreign minister to visit the kingdom is the first sign of a potential thaw between the long-time regional rivals.

The apparent shift in Riyadh’s strategy comes as Tehran’s key Arab ally, Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, appears to be gaining the upper ground in the three-year civil war against Saudi-backed opponents, and as Iranian nuclear talks with world powers are at a critical juncture. (CONTINUED - 726 WORDS)