Saudi Arabia cuts diplomatic ties with Iran over embassy storming | World Defense

Saudi Arabia cuts diplomatic ties with Iran over embassy storming

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Saudi Arabia cuts diplomatic ties with Iran over embassy storming

Saudi Arabia has cut diplomatic ties with Iran over the storming of its embassy in Tehran on Saturday. The move comes while relations between the regional rivals are plunging over the execution of a top Shiite cleric.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir demanded that the Iranian diplomatic mission and related entities leave the country within 48 hours.





Saudi Arabia cuts diplomatic ties with Iran over embassy storming — RT News
 

Scorpion

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That should have happened long ago. Its funny reading the Iranians reaction saying that they are happy about this but the question is why the step has been taken by Saudi Arabia and not Iran. ROLF.
 

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T-123456

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There still is the 'Why''?
 

BLACKEAGLE

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KSA halts trade, air links with Iran

Iranian Haj, Umrah pilgrims are welcome to visit holy sites
  • file-04-front-page-infograph-jubeir.jpg
ARAB NEWS

Published — Tuesday 5 January 2016

Last update 5 January 2016 3:44 am

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia took strong action against Iran on Monday by ending air traffic and trade links with the interventionist Gulf neighbor and demanding that Tehran “act like a normal country” before it would restore severed diplomatic relations.

Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir told Reuters in an interview that Tehran was responsible for rising tensions after the Kingdom executed Shiite cleric Nimr Al-Nimr on Saturday for terror acts.

Insisting Riyadh would react to “Iranian aggression,” Al-Jubeir accused Tehran of dispatching fighters to Arab countries and plotting attacks inside the Kingdom and its Gulf neighbors.

“There is no escalation on the part of Saudi Arabia. Our moves are all reactive. It is the Iranians who went into Lebanon. It is the Iranians who sent their Qods Force and their Revolutionary Guards into Syria,” he said.

Iranian pilgrims would still be welcome to visit Makkah and Madinah either for Haj or at other times of year for the Umrah pilgrimage, he said.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) on Monday halted all flights to and from Iran, the authority said on its official Twitter account.

“Based on the Kingdom's announcement of the severing of diplomatic relations with Iran, GACA is halting all flights from and to Iran,” the authority tweeted.

Al-Jubeir said Saudi Arabia had been right to execute Al-Nimr, whom he accused of “agitating, organizing cells, providing them with weapons and money”.

After listing the crimes of 43 Al-Qaeda members also put to death on Saturday alongside four Shiites, Al-Jubeir said of the executions: “We should be applauded for this, not criticized.”

Meanwhile, the Saudi clubs participating in the Asian Champions League intend to demand to transfer their matches against the Iranian clubs to a neutral ground, Al-Arabiya reported.

In Washington, State Department spokesman John Kirby said the Obama administration believes “diplomatic engagement and direct conversations remain essential in working through differences.”

“We will continue to urge leaders across the region to take affirmative steps to calm tensions,” Kirby said.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif by phone and urged Tehran to “defuse the tensions and protect the Saudi diplomats,” according to a statement.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told Al-Jubeir in a phone call that the development was deeply worrying. Ban also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and urged both ministers to “avoid any actions that could further exacerbate the situation.”

Oil prices, meanwhile, rose on Monday after the breakdown in Riyadh-Tehran diplomatic ties that some analysts speculated could result in supply restrictions, which offset the potential hit from evidence of weakness in Asia's largest economies.
KSA halts trade, air links with Iran | Arab News
 

BLACKEAGLE

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Tweeters back executions, condemn Tehran


  • file-04-1451912855021562300.jpg

    Smoke rises as Iranian protesters set fire to the Saudi embassy in Tehran, on Sunday. (AP)
ARAB NEWS

Published — Tuesday 5 January 2016

Last update 5 January 2016 12:34 am

JEDDAH: Social networking sites are witnessing popular solidarity of all Saudi citizens across the social spectrum, in addition to Arab solidarity in denouncing Iranian intervention in Saudi domestic affairs, and the blatant attack on the Saudi Embassy in Tehran.

Many tweets come from well-known personalities expressing their solidarity with the Kingdom and denouncing Iranian intervention in Saudi domestic affairs.

“Saudi Arabia can burn the Iranian Embassy … but respectable countries don’t do that … this kind of behavior is the doing of unethical thieves and highwaymen,” said media personality and writer Talal Hamza.

“A message to all: the security of the nation doesn’t know who you are nor your religion but the security of the Gulf has to be protected from conspirators and distorters,” said media personality Fahd bin Kardous.

“Its too late for recommendations and big hearts, of being asked to repent and admonitions; what is needed now is firmness, swords and chopping off heads,” said Prince Abdulrahman bin Musaed.

Journalist Abdullah Al-Shabiji said in light of the implementation of the execution sentence against the 47 terrorists who carried out attacks, the Kingdom might be exposed to attacks from Iran and its allies.

Prince Nawaf bin Faisal wrote: “The Kingdom’s leaders abide by God’s legislation, serve God’s houses and announce war on Allah’s enemies,” while Prince Faisal bin Turki wrote: “The execution is the implementation of God’s orders, and executing terrorists brings life to the nation and its loyal children.”

Ayman Abduljabbar wrote: “Western coolness toward the burning of the Saudi Embassy points to secret articles in the nuclear agreement with Iran.”

Journalist Jasim Al-Moawda wrote: “Qatar denounced the attack on the Saudi Embassy in Tehran,” while writer Abdo Khal said, “Statistics reveal that those who were killed among security forces are much more than those executed and arithmetic never lies.”

Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Hamad said: “Sectarian differences with Iran will not benefit anyone; the differences are between countries that support fascism and terrorism with money and manpower.”

He said the Kingdom is the safety valve for the region’s security against terrorism, and he prayed for the safety of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

Journalist Freeh Al-Inizi said: “Its important for the Gulf Cooperation Council to take a clear stand toward Iranian incitement against the Kingdom. Its messages aims to incite rebellious responses.”
Khalid Al-Alkami said: ”Half war is a war of words spoken by Arabs and applied by Iran. Our external media should either rise to a decisive phase or needs a Decisive Storm to restructure it.”

Fahad Al-Shalimi said the Saudi nation stands up against terrorism; it led the fight to free Yemen; it secures borders; serves pilgrims of the Grand Mosque; supports Palestine and Syria; and contributes to global development.
Tweeters back executions, condemn Tehran | Arab News
 

BLACKEAGLE

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Tehran regime further isolated


  • file-04-Bahrain%2C-UAE%2C-Sudan-flags.jpg
ARAB NEWS

Published — Tuesday 5 January 2016

Last update 5 January 2016 2:41 am

JEDDAH: Many countries expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and recalled their ambassadors from Iran after attacks on the Kingdom’s missions in Tehran and Mashhad, including Bahrain and Sudan, with the UAE downgrading its presence in that country.

Bahrain on Monday decided to cut ties with Iran, a day after Saudi Arabia severed relations with Tehran, the Bahrain News Agency reported.

Bahrain gave Iranian envoys 48 hours to leave, expressing similar sentiments to that of Saudi Arabia when it accused Tehran of interfering in the affairs of regional countries and giving safe haven to terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda.

BNA said in a statement that “after the cowardly acts inflicted on our brethren at the Saudi Embassy in Tehran and the consulate in Mashhad — which represent a flagrant violation of intentional treaties and grave sectarian policies — we cannot be silent about nor accept it (an Iranian diplomatic presence).”

“Instead, this needs to be immediately counteracted decisively with full force, to prevent widespread unrest and to ensure stability of the region,” the statement said.

The UAE on Monday downgraded its diplomatic representation and cut the number of envoys on its soil. The UAE’s Foreign Ministry said the decision was taken on the backdrop of Iran’s “continuous interference” in Gulf and Arab affairs, and added that Tehran’s meddling had reached an “unprecedented” level.

The statement, carried by WAM, said that UAE’s ambassador to Tehran Saif Al-Zi’abi had been recalled following the decision.

Sudan has decided to expel Iran’s ambassador from Khartoum. Lt. Gen. Taha Othman Al-Hussein, minister of state and director general of the Sudanese president’s offices, called Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to inform him of the decision.

Al-Hussein said the decision was taken to expel the ambassador and the entire mission, and also condemned Iranian “interference,” according to a report carried by SPA.

Meanwhile, Russia has condemned the attacks on the Saudi Embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad, and said host countries must protect diplomatic missions in accordance with international treaties.

In a statement on Monday, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the attacks on diplomatic and consular authorities “cannot be treated as a legitimate means to express protest.”
Tehran regime further isolated | Arab News
 

BLACKEAGLE

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Attacks on missions ‘organized’ anarchy


  • file-04-1451905125021027600.jpg

    Smoke rises as Iranian protesters set fire to the Saudi embassy in Tehran, on Sunday. (AP)
RASHID HASSAN

Published — Tuesday 5 January 2016

Last update 5 January 2016 2:41 am

RIYADH: The attacks on the Saudi mission in Iran were organized, with the aid of that country’s government, the Saudi Foreign Ministry announced on Monday.

Osama Nugali, head of the media department at the ministry, said on Sunday night in a briefing to reporters, that the embassy in Tehran received several telephone calls on Saturday morning with callers threatening to kill Saudi officials.

At about 2:20 p.m. a “violent mob” started to gather in front of the embassy, prompting the charge d’ affaires to immediately notify the Iranian Foreign Ministry, requesting protection. However, this was not heeded, said Nugali.

At 9:30 p.m. another crowd of demonstrators gathered in front of the embassy, hurling stones and incendiary bombs at the building. At about 2 a.m. on Sunday more people joined them and stormed the embassy, setting it alight and smashing furniture.

He said that calls from the charge d’affaires to the Iranian Foreign Ministry went unanswered, and when he was allowed into the building Sunday afternoon he found it completely trashed.

To make it worse the electricity was cut off at 3:30 a.m. on Sunday for an hour in the area where the homes of embassy staffers are located, he said.

In Mashhad, a violent mob went on the rampage at the consulate building at 11 a.m. on Saturday. In addition, a taxi forced its way across the security barrier of the consulate in an attempt to storm the main gate, without being prevented by the Iranian authorities, he said.

The attack was intensified at 4:30 p.m. when a mob of more than 2,000 people gathered in front of the consulate hurling stones and Molotov cocktails breaking glass windows in a failed bid to storm the building. No action was taken by the authorities, said Nugali.

Nugali said that the Iran ambassador was summoned and a protest note lodged. Moreover, the Kingdom notified the UN Security Council, the GCC, the Arab League and the OIC.

He said the Saudi diplomats were supposed to leave on an Emirates flight at 7:20 p.m. (Iranian time) but the authorities hindered their departure, and they were only able to leave on another flight at 10 p.m. on Sunday, he said. He said Iran has a history of attacks on diplomatic missions, including on the American Embassy in 1979 and on the British Embassy in 2011.
Attacks on missions ‘organized’ anarchy | Arab News
 

BLACKEAGLE

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Iran says it regrets attacks on Saudi missions


  • file-04-revengce.jpg

    Iranian demonstrators threaten revenge during a rally in front of the Saudi Embassy in Tehran on Sunday to protest the execution by Saudi Arabia last week of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Associated Press

Published — Tuesday 5 January 2016

Last update 5 January 2016 3:14 am

TEHRAN: Iran has expressed “regret” over two attacks on Saudi Arabian diplomatic missions and says it will spare no effort in arresting and prosecuting those responsible.

Iran’s UN envoy Gholamali Khoshroo said in a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Monday that the Islamic Republic “will take necessary measures to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents in the future.”

Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran on Sunday after protesters attacked its embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashad. Iranian fanatics turned violent to protest Saudi Arabia’s execution of a prominent opposition Shiite cleric over the weekend, which predominantly Shiite Iran has denounced.

Khoshroo said more than 40 protesters at the embassy have been arrested and handed over to judicial authorities and that investigators are seeking other possible perpetrators.

In the letter, obtained by The Associated Press, he said Iran supports the Vienna conventions on the protection of diplomats and diplomatic property. Khoshroo asked that the letter be circulated to all 193 UN member nations.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged Saudi Arabia and Iran to support peace efforts in Syria and Yemen and avoid escalating tensions.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric says Ban delivered this message in phone calls to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday and to Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir on Monday.

Dujarric said the UN chief called for all political and religious leaders in the region “to avoid adding fuel to the fire.”
The United States also urged Saudi Arabia and Iran to not let their diplomatic spat derail talks to end Syria’s conflict.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest says the US is concerned about the situation and wants the two regional powers to show restraint.

Earnest says it’s in the interests of Iran and Saudi Arabia to continue working toward a political solution for Syria. Both countries have been participating in the talks in Vienna.
Iran says it regrets attacks on Saudi missions | Arab News
 

Falcon29

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I wonder if there was even any sort of coordination between the two prior to this incident? :D

Seems Iran is backtracking now, the embassy situation embarrassed them. As far as Syria and Iraq go, it's business as usual.
 

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Iran’s economy will be hit hard, say experts


  • file-05-iran.jpg
ARAB NEWS

Published — Wednesday 6 January 2016

Last update 6 January 2016 4:16 pm

RIYADH: A number of economic experts have said that severance of Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic and trade relations with Iran has made the latter the biggest loser.

The volume of Saudi exports to Iran stood at nearly SR383 million by the end of 2014 whereas Saudi imports from Iran reached SR682 million, local media has said.

Accordingly, the trade exchange between the two countries hit nearly SR1.065 billion by the end of 2014, the media said.
Economic experts said cutting of political and diplomatic relations with Iran will have a negative effect only on Tehran as Saudi exports to Iran represent a negligible amount compared to other countries.

On the other hand, the volume of trade exchange between the two countries is poor and does not have any effect on Saudi exports to Iran, they said.

Additionally, Iranian exports to the Kingdom are of low quality and that Iran’s sanctions-battered economy has resulted in the creation of companies that are not qualified enough to compete with foreign countries for lack of latest technologies and only depends on minor agro products such as pistachio and saffron and non-basic industries such as carpet, an expert said.

Ibrahim Al-Ghufaili, another expert, said Iran lacks developed and excelled industries, especially in power and oil sectors and lacks firms that are specialized in the construction of airports, railways and transport facilities.

He said Iran’s economy is experiencing a fragile and deteriorating condition due to the lack of infrastructure and, therefore, the Iranian market is not attractive to Saudi and other GCC companies, coupled with government bureaucracy and preoccupation of the Iranian government over the past decades with sowing discord and unrest outside its territories.

Iran has failed economically, politically and socially and, instead, succeeded in exporting hatred, aggression and discord and supported terrorist groups in Nigeria, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, he said.

In this context, economic adviser Salim BaAjaja said the Kingdom’s vision in severing diplomatic and political relations with Iran was correct and wise.

Iran’s weak economy was a reflection of its troubled political relations with many countries that has also reflected on its local currency which has tremendously dropped to the lowest levels, he said.

Abdullah Al-Maghlouth, economic analyst and member of the committee of investment and securities at Riyadh chamber of commerce and industry, said the volume of trade exchange between the two countries does not represent anything compared to the volume of the Kingdom’s economic position.

Saudi businessmen and traders will not be affected by this decision because they have alternatives to import goods from other countries, he said.

Khalid Al-Abdullah, a businessman, said there were major obstacles on trade exchange between the Kingdom and Iran, notably the financial issue where payment guarantees do not exist on the Iranian side, lack of direct coordination between the businessmen of both countries, lack of direct cargo services and shortage of information on national products.
Iran’s economy will be hit hard, say experts | Arab News
 

BLACKEAGLE

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Recounting horror: Iran refused to help Saudi diplomats under attack


  • file-05-recounting%20horror_0.jpg
  • SAFE AND SOUND: A Saudi embassy official, right, is seen talking to family members on arrival in Riyadh on Monday night.
RIYADH: Saudi officials from the embassy in Tehran, who have arrived safely in the Kingdom, have accused the Iranian government of doing nothing to protect them from a mob in the city earlier this week.

Mohammed bin Ali-Qaidhi, who was among those who arrived from Dubai here on Monday night, said masked men were involved in setting the building alight and stealing property of the Saudi government.

He said Iranian security officials ignored the events at the embassy building. In addition, there was no electricity for more than one hour during the attack, he told Arab News.

Also, Iranian officials had harassed Saudi officials from the time they wanted to leave Tehran, he said. “We missed our flight because there was a deliberate delay in the processing of our passports at the immigration counter.” They had to wait two more hours to get a flight, he said.

The Saudi officials thanked the UAE for helping them leave Tehran. They said that Anwar Al-Gargash, UAE's foreign minister, and the Saudi ambassador in the UAE, met them at the airport and helped them get a connection to Riyadh.
Saud bin Abdulaziz Al-Khudair, a relative of an embassy staff member working in Tehran, said he was thankful to the Saudi government for protecting diplomatic staff working abroad.
Recounting horror: Iran refused to help Saudi diplomats under attack | Arab News
 

BLACKEAGLE

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Global fury over Iranians’ attacks on KSA missions


  • file-05-6765158858233165.jpg

    In this Jan. 3, 2016 file photo, smoke rises as Iranian fanatics set fire to the Saudi Embassy in Tehran to protest the execution of Shiite radical Nimr al-Nimr. (Mohammadreza Nadimi/ISNA via AP, File)
ARAB NEWS

Published — Wednesday 6 January 2016

Last update 6 January 2016 6:42 pm

JEDDAH: The condemnation of Iran for the attacks on Saudi missions in Tehran and Mashhad continued Tuesday.

UN Security Council members, Turkey, Pakistan, Malaysia and Kuwait added their voices to the chorus of condemnation.
In a statement on Monday night, members of the UN Security Council condemned the attacks and said Iran was under obligation to protect all diplomatic missions, according to a report carried by SPA.

It also urged all parties to enter into talks to ease growing tension in the region, the SPA reported.

Turkey described the attacks as “unacceptable” in a statement carried by the SPA. It said Tehran was obliged by the Vienna Convention as a host country to protect all foreign diplomatic missions on its soil.

Pakistan lambasted the Iranian government and said it should be held responsible for the attacks on the Saudi missions. It should provide protection for all diplomats, said Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Qazi Khalilullah.

Malaysia also condemned the attacks and called on Tehran to take all measures to protect foreign missions in Iran.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, in a statement issued Tuesday, said this was in accordance with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

He also called for legal action to be taken against the perpetrators of the attacks. “Malaysia strongly condemns the acts of the mob that attacked the embassy and consulate of Saudi Arabia in Tehran and Mashhad,” he said.

Kuwait has recalled its ambassador to Iran, state news agency KUNA reported. An official source at the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry said that the ministry recalled the ambassador on Tuesday morning because of the attacks.

The Islamic Fiqh Council came out in support of the Kingdom and said it had every right under Islamic law to execute the 47 people found guilty of terrorism because they killed innocent people including security officers.

In addition, they were involved in bombing various residential and public buildings, kidnappings and funding terrorist acts.
Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Foreign Ministers are expected to hold an extraordinary meeting in Riyadh to discuss the latest events, chaired by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir.

The Arab League’s foreign ministers are to meet on Sunday in Cairo, and are expected to condemn the events in Iran.
Bahrain halted Tuesday flights to and from Iran, the country’s Transport Ministry announced. This would affect all carriers, the ministry stated. The national carrier would take the necessary procedures to ensure passengers with bookings are not affected, SPA said.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said his country broke off relations with Iran 27 years ago because of the situation at that time. “We reject Iranian interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom. We have stressed many times that we stand firmly with our brothers in the Kingdom and other Gulf states,” he said.

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, chairman of Kingdom Holding, said on Tuesday on Twitter that he refused the Iranian ambassador’s request for a meeting. He ordered cancellation of all Flynas flights to Iran. Alwaleed has a 34 percent stake in the budget carrier.
Global fury over Iranians’ attacks on KSA missions | Arab News
 
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