TEHRAN – Iran has shrugged off a decision by Saudi Arabia to cut diplomatic ties with Tehran, however it called on the Riyadh government to stop taking “hasty” and “illogical” acts.

First Vice President Es'haq Jahangiri said on Monday that the Iran as a “powerful” country will not be “harmed” by such a decision. However it is necessary that the
Saudi officials to stop taking “sabotage” actions, he noted.

Saudi Arabia announced the severance of diplomatic ties with Iran under the pretext of attack on its embassy in Tehran late on Saturday by dozens of protestors who had been enraged by the execution of pro-democracy Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqr al-Nimr.

President Hassan Rouhani issued a statement on Sunday condemning the attack on the embassy. The Foreign Ministry as well as top judiciary officials and top clerics have also condemned the attack on the embassy.

Political analysts believe that the Saudi royal family is using the attack on the embassy as an excuse to cut ties, saying Riyadh is mostly angry with Iran’s support for the Syrian government and its strong protest against the execution of Sheikh Nimr.

Iran has also been a vocal critic of Saudi Arabia’s war on Yemen.

--- Saudi allies follow in severing ties with Iran

After Saudi Arabia severed ties with the Islamic Republic, Sudan, Djibouti, and Bahrain followed Riyadh by announcing they were going to halt their relations as well.

There are reports that these countries have done so under pressure by the Saudi kingdom as a key player in the Arab world, the YJC reported on Monday.

The United Arab Emirates, which has great financial interests in Iran, resigned to lowering its diplomatic ties with Iran by calling Ambassdor Saif al-Za’abi back home to follow relations at the charge d’affaires level.


--- Iran says Saudi Arabia sees its survival in tension

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari also said Saudi Arabia sees not only its interests, but its survival in continuation of tensions.

“The Saudi government is pursuing efforts to create tension and clash in the region [the Mideast region], to impose war on Yemen, and to adopt policy of undermining security and stability in the regional countries,” Jaber Ansari told a regular press conference on Monday.

Suppressing “freedom-seeking” demands and execution of critics like pro-democracy cleric Sheikh Nimr indicate the fact that the Saudi royal family is faced with internal and external crises.

Saudi Arabia on Saturday announced the execution Sheikh Nimr, who was arrested in 2012.

Jabber Ansari also said Iran has fulfilled its legal commitments in providing the Saudi Arabian diplomatic missions with security.

Police on Saturday evening prevented angry protesters from storming the Saudi embassy in Tehran.

Elsewhere, he said that Iran seeks the policy of expanding ties and interaction with other countries and enjoys good relations with the regional countries especially the Arab ones.

--- Iranian intelligence minister: House of Saud to lead country into destruction

The Iranian intelligence minister said Saudi Arabia’s efforts to ensure its existence by causing fear will end in its destruction.

In a message expressing condolences on the martyrdom of Nimr, Mahmoud Alavi said Nimr’s blood will cause great loss to the Saudi regime.

NA/SP/PA