Saudi Arabia said on Sunday (03/01) ties severed with Iran in wake of tensions generated by the execution of Shi'ite cleric Nimr Baqir al-Nimr. The statement was made by the Saudi foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, which justified the move as a reaction to the invasion of the Saudi embassy in Tehran by Iranian protesters.
Jubeir also announced that all Iranian diplomats stationed in Saudi Arabia have to leave the Sunni kingdom within 48 hours. The minister also said that Riyadh would not allow Iran to undermine the security of Saudi Arabia.
"Saudi Arabia is breaking diplomatic ties with Iran and calls for all members of the Iranian mission to leave [the country] within 48 hours," the minister said at a news conference.
On Saturday, the Sunni kingdom executed 47 people in connection with terrorism, including the prominent Shiite cleric Nimr. Most were of Saudi nationality, except for an Egyptian and Chadian. The charges include the adoption and promotion of takfiri ideology (Sunni extremism), murder, kidnapping, making explosives and possession of weapons.
Of the 47 executed, most were convicted of al Qaeda attacks in Saudi Arabia for a decade. Four, including the cleric Nimr, were accused of shooting at police during anti-government protests. The penalties were aimed primarily at discouraging Saudis to join the jihad.
Running Nimr generated outrage in Shiite countries, especially in the main regional rival of Riyadh:. Iran Also on Sunday, Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, warned that Saudi Arabia will face a "divine retribution". On Saturday, the Revolutionary Guards said that the Saudi royal family will suffer consequences and the Foreign Ministry assured that Riyadh will pay a "high price" for the execution of Shiite cleric.
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