Attack by 'Self-Directed Individuals' on Saudi Embassy in Tehran

Following the execution of Sheikh Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia, a protest was held in front of the Saudi embassy in Tehran. According to Tehran police, a number of 'self-directed individuals' entered the embassy and caused damage to the building. On Saturday, January 1, Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, along with 46 others, was executed by Saudi Arabia. The execution of Sheikh Nimr sparked widespread reactions among Iranian political and religious officials, leading to protests in Tehran and Mashhad in front of the Saudi embassy and consulate. According to ISNA, Hossein Sajjadi, the head of Tehran police, stated, 'Around 10:20 PM on Saturday night, a group of self-directed individuals gathered in front of the Saudi embassy and later began throwing stones and Molotov cocktails at the embassy building.' The head of Tehran police also mentioned that the attackers caused damage to the Saudi embassy building. He added that a 'small number' entered the embassy, and police took action to remove these individuals, with 'some of the attacking self-directed individuals being arrested.' According to the head of Tehran police, the situation around the Saudi embassy is currently calm. Attack on the Saudi consulate in Mashhad Meanwhile, reports indicate that despite the presence of numerous law enforcement forces, protesters in Mashhad attacked the Saudi consulate by throwing stones and incendiary materials. The Mehr news agency reported, 'Despite the establishment of a protective wall made of four-meter-high iron fences by law enforcement to prevent attackers from approaching the consulate, protesters climbed over these barriers and brought down the flag of this consulate.' The report added that the attack by the assailants with incendiary materials caused a balcony of one of the floors of this consulate to catch fire, and the windows of this complex were broken due to stone throwing. Meanwhile, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Iranian ambassador in Riyadh on Saturday, holding Iran responsible for ensuring the security of its embassy and consulate in Tehran and Mashhad. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a note to the Iranian ambassador that the Iranian government is responsible for ensuring the security of its embassy and consulate in Tehran and Mashhad based on agreements and international laws, and that Iran is also responsible for protecting the lives of embassy and consulate staff against any violent acts. Request to Prevent Gatherings Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for the prevention of any gatherings in front of Saudi diplomatic sites in Tehran and Mashhad. According to ISNA, Hossein Jaberi Ansari stated, 'The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, understanding the pure feelings of the Muslim people of our country, calls for the prevention of any gatherings in front of these sites.' The spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs added, 'The diplomatic police are responsible for dealing with any aggression against Saudi diplomatic sites and will act according to their inherent duties to maintain public order and restore security to these sites.'