Tension in Middle East boils as Saudi, allies cut ties with Iran

Responding to the storming of its embassy in Tehran over the execution of a Shia Muslim cleric, Saudi Arabia and its allies — UAE, Sudan and Bahrain — break off diplomatic ties with Iran

Riyadh:  Saudi Arabia yesterday snapped diplomatic ties with Iran and asked all Iranian diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours.

Iranian riot police block a street leading to the Saudi embassy as protesters march with portraits of Shia cleric on Sunday. Pics/AFP

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said he has informed the UN Security Council of the attack on the Saudi diplomatic mission in Iran late Saturday, and added that the Saudi diplomats from the mission had safely reached Dubai, the UAE. The Saudi aviation authority also informed that they have cut all air links with Iran.

Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi foreign minister

He accused the Iranian authorities of not taking any measures to prevent the attacks against the embassy in Tehran and the consulate in the city of Mashhad.

Late Saturday, Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi diplomatic mission to protest against the execution of 47 individuals, including a Saudi Shia cleric, Nimr al-Nimr.

Aftermath of executions
In Istanbul, people gathered outside Saudi Arabia’s consulate holding posters of al-Nimr, and shouted “Saudi Arabia will pay the price.” Some Western countries also voiced their concern about the execution. Washington said that to ease tension, it hoped regional leaders could deepen diplomatic ties.    

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