Though it was the executions of Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shi-ite cleric and three other Shi’ite Muslims, which drove up sectarian tension with Shi-ite power Iran, analysts say they were meant mostly to send a signal to militant Sunnis. Right after the attacks on its diplomatic missions, the Saudi Arabia said it severed ties with the Islamic Republic.
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Arab foreign ministers at an emergency Arab League session on Sunday in Cairo hit the nail on the head when they blamed Iran for interfering in the affairs of other Middle Eastern states and undermining regional security. The latest attack on the Saudi embassy is yet another incident in the 30-year history of Iran’s aggression. Protesters upset over the execution of a Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia set fires to the Saudi embassy in Tehran.
Saudi Arabia and Iran back opposite sides in the Yemen conflict.
Upon his arrival, Bin Salman – who also holds the post of Saudi deputy prime minister and defense minister – held a 90-minute meeting with Pakistan’s powerful army chief, Gen. Raheel Sharif, after which he met with the prime minister.
Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif, has blasted Saudi Arabia for what he suggested was Riyadh’s attempt to drag the entire Middle East into a confrontation.
“The Arab countries stand united with Saudi Arabia”, a final statement read.
All members of the Arab League approved the document with the exception of Lebanon, where Tehran-backed Hezbollah is a strong political force.
Iranian officials fiercely criticized the kingdom’s authorities for the execution, and an Iranian mob stormed the Saudi Embassy and consulate in Tehran in protest.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Sunday insisted his country supports efforts to resolve the Syria conflict, despite its diplomatic dispute with Iran.
“Through all these diplomatic effort, Saudi Arabia to some extent can achieve its expectations and goals, because both the United States and some European countries must now reconsider their approach to Iran given the current pressure from Saudi Arabia”.
Zarif said Iran’s “prudent restraint” had thus far prevented it from acting against Saudi Arabia despite these episodes.
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De Mistura’s regional consultations follow the Security Council’s adoption last month of its first resolution focused on the politics of ending Syria’s five-year-long war. “This is still the case, we believe in this and we fully support [the peace process] despite our differences with Iran”, he said.
