The war of words between Iran and Saudi Arabia has escalated, with the two Middle East rivals swapping accusations about endangering regional security and targeting their respective embassies.
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Mr Zarif said Iran had immediately condemned the violence at the Saudi embassy and had since taken action against those who failed to protect the compound, while an investigation was under way.
The Cabinet noted the position of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Gulf Cooperation Council for Arab states, their strong condemnation of Iranian attacks, their categorical rejection of them, and holding Iranian authorities fully responsible according to their commitment to Vienna Conventions 1961 and 1963, and the global law holding countries responsible for protecting diplomatic missions. Following Iran’s condemnation of the execution, the Saudi embassy in Tehran was stormed and set alight by demonstrators.
Jaber Ansari said cutting ties with Iran and putting pressure on other countries in doing so will not benefit Riyadh, calling its policies on the region “destructive”.
Oman, meanwhile, denounced the attacks on the Saudi diplomatic posts in Iran as “unacceptable”.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest inter-governmental organisation after the United Nations, with membership of 57 states over four continents.
The Saudi government on January 3 announced that Riyadh was severing its diplomatic relations with Tehran following angry protests in Tehran at the execution of Sheikh Nimr by Riyadh.
A source said that the Saudi defence minister is expected to conclude a military co-operation arrangement during the trip, which the two sides have been negotiating recently.
In addition, Qatar recalled its ambassador to Iran after its ally Saudi Arabia cut ties with Tehran following attacks on Saudi missions by Iranian protesters.
“The Saudi foreign minister assured me that there would be no impact from their point of view”.
After meeting in Cairo for emergency talks requested by Riyadh, Arab League foreign ministers issued a joint statement denouncing the “hostile acts and provocations of Iran” in the dispute.
He also warned Iran risked being rejected by all the Arab countries of the region.
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Since then, Iranians carried out attacks on several other embassies in Tehran, including those of Kuwait in 1987, Saudi Arabia in 1988, Denmark in 2006 and Britain in 2011, most of which led to a breach in diplomatic relations.
