By Nuel Suji – The Saudi Arabian government has severed diplomatic relations with Iran over the rising tension arising from the last week execution of 47 persons including prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, by the Saudi Arabia government.
Protesters in Tehran on Sunday torched the Saudi Embassy building even as police authority moved in to break the protests.
Saudi’s foreign minister, Abdel Al Jubeir announced that his country has cut diplomatic relations with Iran, accusing it of promoting terrorism in Middle East and the rest of the world.
“We are determined not to allow Iran undermine our internal security, we are determined not to allow Iran establish terrorism cell in our country or any of our allies,” Al Jubeir said.
Nimr al-Nimr was among 47 people put to death after being convicted of terrorism offences, Saudi government said in a statement on Saturday..
“Sheikh Nimr was a vocal supporter of the mass anti-government protests that erupted in Eastern Province in 2011, where a Shia majority have long complained of marginalisation,” it stated.
However, the Shia-led Iran had said Saudi Arabia would pay a “high price” for the execution.
A foreign ministry spokesman said Riyadh “supports terrorists… while executing and suppressing critics inside the country”.
Iran is the main regional rival of Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia.
The executions were carried out simultaneously in 12 locations across Saudi Arabia.
Those also put to death include Sunnis convicted of involvement in al-Qaeda-linked terror attacks in 2003.
Of the 47 executed, one was a Chadian national while another was Egyptian. The rest are Saudis.
additional reports from BBC
