Opening a meeting of Arab League diplomatic chiefs in Cairo, senior Egyptian diplomat Nabil al-Arabi accused Tehran of “provocative acts” and called for Arab unity.
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Tensions between the Sunni Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Shi’ite Muslim Iran have escalated since Saudi authorities executed Shi’ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr on January 2, triggering outrage among Shi’ites across the Middle East.
In his op-ed, Zarif defended his country’s reaction to the attacks on Saudi diplomatic facilities, saying Tehran took immediate action to return order at the compound in Tehran and punished those responsible for the lapse in embassy security.
While Saudi ally Bahrain said it was severing diplomatic ties with Iran, others like UAE, Jordan, Djibouti, Turkey, Qatar and Sudan said they were downgrading diplomatic relations with Tehran.
Saudi Arabia seems to fear that the removal of the smoke screen of the nuclear issue will expose the real global threat: its active sponsorship of violent extremism.
The diplomatic dispute has raised concern that efforts to resolve a range of conflicts, including those in Yemen and Syria – where Saudi Arabia and Iran support opposing sides – could be derailed.
The council commended the efficiency, independence and impartiality of the judicial system in Saudi Arabia and welcomed the categorical rejection of these attacks expressed by Arab, Islamic, and friendly countries and the UN Security Council. “In Iran I got the same assurance”, he said.
The row between the two regional powers has raised concerns over the Syrian peace process as both countries are seen as essential in the ongoing battle against the Islamic State, and are viewed as important players to help lead Syria and Yemen out of devastating wars.
The meeting was held in Riyadh under the chairmanship of Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir.
Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz will give in-camera briefing to the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Standing Committee on Iran-Saudi Arabia matters and role of Pakistan today (Tuesday).
In his op-ed, Zarif said the Iranian government “at the highest level” had condemned the attack on the Saudi embassy and protected Saudi diplomats.
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“We regret what happened, especially knowing that this cleric did not fight with arms in his hands against Saudi Arabia”.
