Tensions between Saudi Arabia, the main Sunni power, and Shiite-dominated Iran erupted this week into a full-blown diplomatic crisis, sparking widespread worries of regional instability.
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De Mistura did not characterise the position of the Syrian opposition at the meeting, but said: “We can not afford to lose this momentum despite what is going on in the region”.
Aquino also stressed the need for “comprehensive contingency measures” involving various agencies.
Iran is also expected to export a further one million barrels a day once sanctions are removed.
At the same time, more than 4,800 Filipinos remain employed in Iran.
This follows the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric, which led to a severing of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Vali Nasr, a Middle East scholar and dean of Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C., joined NPR’s “Morning Edition” today to discuss the deteriorating relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
In response, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari says his country is committed to protecting diplomatic missions and reiterated that no Saudi diplomats were harmed during the attacks.
Referring to the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr by Saudis, al-Jaafari noted “we slam the verdict issued by the Saudi court; Sheikh al-Nimr was a reformist who never believed in using weapons”. In the time since, a host of Saudi allies have cut or reduced their ties to Iran.
Iranian pilgrims would still be welcome for Haj and Umrah, the minister had said.
The United Nations Security Council spoke up, criticizing the protests on the Saudi embassy in Tehran.
Also yesterday, Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Sulaiman Al-Jarallah summoned Iran’s ambassador to Kuwait Ali Reda Enayeti and handed him a written protest note over the attacks. It has faced low-level turmoil since 2011 Arab Spring-inspired protests by Shiites seeking more political rights.
Zarif, meanwhile, blamed Saudi Arabia for exacerbating the situation.
But Kuwait’s statement did not elaborate on how diplomatic ties would be affected.
Asked about the diplomatic post attacks, Mohammed al-Nimr said it was “not acceptable”. Like Nimr, Al-Shuwail might not have personally killed people, but his teachings and sermons were a direct factor behind the taking of innocent lives.
The Swiss move comes after Saudi Arabia on Saturday executed Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr and 46 others.
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has “downgraded” its diplomatic relations, by reducing the number of diplomats it has stationed there. “About my brother, we were hoping to end it in a political way rather than in blood”.
