Iran: Cutting ties cannot cover up the mistake of executing Sheikh Nimr

Hosseini Amirabdollahian, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, reacted on Sunday evening, January 3, to Saudi Arabia's decision to sever diplomatic relations with Iran, stating that Riyadh cannot cover up the "mistake of executing" Sheikh Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric. Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi Foreign Minister, announced on Sunday the departure of Saudi diplomats from Iran and stated that Iranian diplomats also have 48 hours to leave Saudi territory. This action followed the attack on the Saudi embassy and consulate in Tehran and Mashhad on Saturday. According to Agence France-Presse, Adel al-Jubeir emphasized that "Iran's history is full of hostility and negative interference in Arab issues, and (such an approach) has always been accompanied by destruction." The Saudi Foreign Minister deemed the attack on his country's embassy a violation of international law. In response to Adel al-Jubeir's comments regarding the severing of diplomatic relations, Hosseini Amirabdollahian told Fars News Agency: "Riyadh cannot cover up the major mistake of executing a religious figure by announcing its decision to cut ties with Tehran." The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister also pointed out that Saudi Arabia has previously exacerbated regional insecurities through strategic errors and hasty, ill-considered approaches, leading to the rise of terrorism and extremism. He added that Saudi Arabia harmed its own people and those in Muslim countries in the region by conspiring to lower oil prices and played a destructive and non-constructive role in Iran's peaceful nuclear negotiations with six countries. Amirabdollahian noted that there was no harm to Saudi diplomats in Tehran and Mashhad, asserting that Iran is one of the safest countries in the region and all diplomats continue their duties in complete security. Following the execution of Sheikh Nimr and 46 others in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, protests were held in front of the Saudi embassy and consulate in Tehran and Mashhad. In Tehran, protesters damaged the embassy building. The attack on the Saudi embassy and consulate has drawn international reactions.