The Security Council Condemns the Attack on the Saudi Embassy in Tehran

On Monday, January 4, the United Nations Security Council issued a statement condemning the attack on the Saudi Arabian embassy and consulate in Tehran and Mashhad, which led to "serious damage and destruction" to these diplomatic sites, in the "strongest terms." Following the execution of Sheikh Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric and critic of the Saudi government, protests were held in front of the Saudi embassy and consulate in Tehran and Mashhad, culminating in attackers entering the embassy and setting part of it on fire. In response to this event, Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran on Sunday. The Security Council's statement reminded that according to the principle of the inviolability of diplomatic premises and under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention, host governments are obligated to take all appropriate measures to protect diplomatic and consular premises and prevent any attacks on these premises or interference with diplomats' missions. The Security Council's statement added: "In this context, while expressing deep concern about this attack, the members of the Security Council urge Iranian authorities to protect diplomatic and consular premises and diplomats and to fully adhere to and respect their international obligations in this regard." The Security Council members called on Iran and Saudi Arabia to engage in dialogue and take steps to reduce tensions. Hours after the attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran, the police chief of Tehran announced that "rogue elements" were responsible for the attack. In this context, Gholamali Khoshroo, Iran's representative to the United Nations, expressed regret over the attack on the Saudi embassy and the damage to the site, stating that the Islamic Republic "will spare no effort to apprehend those responsible for the attack." Khoshroo expressed regret in his letter that "despite the extensive efforts of law enforcement forces," a number of protesters against Sheikh Nimr's execution entered the Saudi embassy premises and caused "damage" to the building. Meanwhile, a Saudi Foreign Ministry official detailed the events of Saturday concerning the embassy, accusing Iranian officials of failing to act despite requests for help from the embassy from Saturday morning until Sunday morning. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani condemned Sheikh Nimr's execution on Sunday and described the attack on Saudi diplomatic premises as "an insult to the system," ordering the Minister of Interior to identify and arrest those responsible for the attacks in collaboration with the Ministry of Intelligence and the judiciary. Saeed Montazeri Mahdi, the police spokesperson, stated on Monday that 50 of the "leaders of the protesters at the Saudi embassy on the scene" were arrested and handed over to judicial authorities. The Iranian representation at the United Nations expressed regret over the attack on the Saudi embassy. Hassan Rouhani stated that the attack by extremists on the Saudi embassy is an insult to the system. Questions arise whether the seizure and destruction of embassies in Iran will stop. Rafsanjani noted that attacks on diplomatic premises exacerbate regional crises. The Minister of Justice suggested that the attack on the Saudi embassy could be the work of infiltrators.