Saudi Arabia and Iraq plan to reopen the Arar border for the first time since 1990 , when it was closed following Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait. <br/><br/>Iraqi religious pilgrims, had access to the border crossing only once annually during the hajj season for the past 27 years. <br/><br/>According to Saudi local media report, the decision was taken after Riyadh's cabinet decided to establish a joint trade commission with Iraq. <br/><br/>"The cabinet has decided to approve the establishment of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordinating Commission and to delegate the Saudi minister of trade and investments to sign on behalf of the kingdom," read a statement carried by state-run SPA news agency.<br/><br/>Earlier in 2015 , Saudi Arabia had reopened its embassy in Baghdad after a break of 25 years. The growing thaw in the relationship between Saudi and Iraq is also suggestive of Riyadh's intent to contain the influence of its regional rival Iran.