US Reaction to Riyadh's Diplomatic Break with Tehran

John Kirby, the spokesperson for the US State Department, on Sunday, January 3, following the diplomatic break between Riyadh and Tehran, called on Middle Eastern leaders to take actions to reduce tensions in the region. According to AFP, Kirby stated that the US is aware of Saudi Arabia's severance of relations with Iran. Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi Foreign Minister, announced on Sunday the withdrawal of his country's diplomats from Iran and stated that Iranian diplomats also have 48 hours to leave Saudi soil. In response to this action by Saudi Arabia, the US State Department spokesperson said, "We believe that diplomatic engagement and direct dialogue are essential to resolving disputes, and we continue to urge regional leaders to take positive steps to reduce tensions." While the US has called for Middle Eastern leaders to act to reduce tensions, a source close to Saudi Arabia has stated that Riyadh is unhappy with the US approach towards Iran's actions throughout the Middle East. This source, familiar with Saudi issues and who requested anonymity, told Reuters: "Whatever Iran does in the region, the US retreats. In Syria, it is Saudi Arabia that must take action; the same goes for Yemen." The source added: "It is clear that Saudi Arabia and the US need to cooperate on many issues, but Saudi Arabia has concluded that it must act on its own to protect its interests against Iran's actions." Following the execution of Sheikh Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia, tensions between Riyadh and Tehran escalated. Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia soured with the onset of protests in Arab countries in the region in 2011. Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of interfering in the internal affairs of Arab countries in the region. Over the past year, diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have faced crises, including the death of 400 Iranian pilgrims in Mecca. However, these crises had not led to a severance of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Meanwhile, France and Germany condemned the execution of Sheikh Nimr and 46 others in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. The French Foreign Ministry, in a statement, urged Middle Eastern leaders to prevent the escalation of ethnic and religious tensions in the region. The French Foreign Ministry stated that the country opposes the death penalty at any time and under any circumstances. Germany also criticized the executions in Saudi Arabia, stating that the country opposes the inhumane death penalty. A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry told AFP: "The execution of Sheikh Nimr exacerbates concerns regarding increasing tensions in the region."