Iran has appointed an envoy to the United Arab Emirates after eight years of not having an ambassador in the country, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Tuesday.

The diplomat is Reza Amiri, who was the Director General of the Office of Iranian Expatriates in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs prior to his appointment.

Amiri also served as Iran's ambassador to Algeria, Sudan and Eritrea.

In 2016, the UAE downgraded its relations with Iran after Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with the latter.