Hundreds Protest Against 'Sexual Assault' of Two Teenagers Outside Saudi Embassy

Following a call on social media, hundreds of protesters gathered on Saturday, April 22, in front of the Saudi embassy in Tehran to protest against the 'sexual assault' of two Iranian teenagers in Saudi Arabia, according to Iranian news agencies. Meanwhile, Mohammad Reza Yousefi, the political director of Tehran's governorate, announced that no request had been submitted for a permit for this gathering, deeming it 'illegal.' On Tuesday, April 17, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister reported that during the second week of the Nowruz holidays, while inspecting an Iranian Umrah caravan, Jeddah airport officials separated two Iranian teenagers from the rest on suspicion and subjected them to sexual harassment. Hassan Qashqavi, the Deputy Foreign Minister, stated that Iran's 'strong protest against this heinous act' had been presented to the Saudi chargé d'affaires, and they are awaiting Riyadh's response and the harshest punishment for those involved. Meanwhile, according to Fars News Agency, on Saturday, following an 'attack' by some protesters on the Saudi embassy, a 'minor clash' occurred between the protesters and law enforcement officers during the gathering. This news agency also reported 'physical confrontations' between law enforcement officers and some of the protesters present at the site. According to this report, after about four hours, law enforcement requested the end of the gathering and dispersed the protesters, but this action faced a 'negative reaction' from some of the demonstrators. Fars News reported that after the protesters returned to the main street of the embassy, the special motorcycle unit of law enforcement dispersed them and also 'forced' nearby shopkeepers to close their shops. The state news agency IRNA reported that the number of protesters in front of the Saudi embassy was 500 and added that this gathering was held following a call on social media. The Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) also reported that 'a large group of people from Tehran' demanded the closure of the embassy and the cancellation of the Umrah pilgrimage. According to this news agency, during the gathering, two youths climbed the fence of the wall adjacent to the embassy and installed several placards protesting the 'assault' on the two Iranian teenagers on the wall. ISNA reported that slogans such as 'Today is a day of mourning, an Iranian with dignity is the owner of honor today,' 'Shameless, have some shame, leave our land alone,' 'Basij brother, where is your honor,' and 'We won't leave until we take our flag' were among the protesters' chants in front of the Saudi embassy. According to this report, some protesters waved the Islamic Republic of Iran flag above their heads while singing 'Ey Iran, Ey Marz-e Porgohar.' Meanwhile, others waved a green flag inscribed with 'Ya Amir al-Mu'minin' while chanting 'Haydar, Haydar.' Previously, the Mehr News Agency reported that on the evening of Thursday, April 20, 'a large crowd' gathered in front of the Saudi consulate in Mashhad to protest. Mehr News stated that the Mashhad protesters demanded an official apology from Saudi officials following the sexual assault on the two teenagers and also for the 'massacre of defenseless people in Yemen.' As Tehran and Riyadh's relations are tense over various issues, including the latest developments in Yemen, the news of the 'sexual assault' on two Iranian teenagers in Saudi Arabia has further fueled widespread reactions. A group of Iranian parliament members has prepared an urgent bill aimed at temporarily 'cancelling' the Umrah pilgrimage. Meanwhile, according to Fars News, Saeed Qazi Askar, the representative of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic in Hajj and Pilgrimage affairs, stated on Saturday that the continuation of the 'Umrah pilgrimage' depends on Saudi Arabia's actions. Previously, the head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization had threatened in a letter to the Saudi Minister of Hajj that 'further delay' in announcing an official position regarding this incident, which he described as 'bitter, shameful, and against Islamic law,' could pose a 'serious challenge' to the travel of 'Iranian Umrah pilgrims.' On the other hand, while IRNA, ISNA, ILNA, and Fars News, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cited the reason for Saturday's gathering in front of the Saudi embassy as a protest against the 'sexual assault' on two Iranian teenagers, the Tasnim News Agency, also linked to the IRGC, briefly reported the gathering's reason as a protest against Saudi military intervention in Yemen. Saudi Arabia and its allied Arab countries are trying to force the Houthi rebels and their military units to retreat through airstrikes and blockading sea routes, aiming to facilitate the return of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, Yemen's official president, to power. Meanwhile, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, has called Saudi airstrikes a 'crime.' Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, has also stated that Iran is ready to assist in dialogues aimed at forming a broad coalition government in Yemen.