Tensions between Saudia Arabia, the Middle East’s main Sunni Muslim state, and Shi’ite Muslim Iran, reached boiling point when Riyadh executed Shi’ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr on January 2, 2016.
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The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers fully backed Saudi Arabia’s actions to fight terrorism and bringing to justice those who commit or sponsor acts of terrorism in a statement issued today after an extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council.
But after the talks in Tehran, and with Saudi officials in the last week, de Mistura said both countries had vowed to continue to support peace efforts.
The opinion piece ran amid heightened tensions between the two Middle Eastern powers in the wake of Saudi Arabia’s execution of prominent Shiite cleric and activist Nimr al-Nimr.
The Cabinet thanked all sisterly and friendly countries, which announced their stand and solidarity with Saudi Arabia in its decision, and chose to recall their ambassadors and cut off diplomatic relations with the Republic of Iran.
Sartaj Aziz, while briefing the National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee, said that all matters between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had been settled.
The execution touched off anti-Saudi demonstrations in Shiite countries including in Iran where demonstrators set fire to the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad.
The council also condemned Iran’s intervention in Yemen’s internal affairs through its support for forces fighting the legitimate government in Yemen, which have had a negative impact on the security and stability of the entire region.
Iran’s judiciary chief slammed Saudi Arabi on Monday for its hostile policies towards Tehran claiming that Saudi policies are serving the interests of the United States and Israel by harming the Muslim world, according to a report by Fars News.
Saudi Arabia and Iran back opposing sides in the conflict, with Riyadh supporting rebel groups and Tehran behind President Bashar al-Assad.
Syrian opposition officials have expressed misgivings about the peace talks, citing the need to see goodwill measures from the government side including a ceasefire, a detainee release and the end of blockades on besieged areas before starting negotiations. “If not, it will be further isolated”, said the minister.
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In Cairo, the Arab League held an emergency meeting of foreign ministers. Qatar’s foreign ministry described the embassy attack as a “violation of worldwide charters and norms that ensure the security and protection of diplomatic missions and their members”. The crisis would not lead to a war with Iran, he said.
