(VOVworld) – Saudi Arabia says it will break off diplomatic ties with Iran because demonstrators stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran to oppose the Saudi execution of Nimr Al Nimr, a prominent Shi’ite Muslim cleric. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Sunday that all Iranian diplomats must leave Saudi Arabia within 48 hours. His announcement was reported by Al Jazeera.
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| Iranian protesters chant slogans as they hold pictures of Shi’ite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr during a demonstration against the execution of Nimr in Saudi Arabi. (Photo: Reuters) |
According to US state department spokesman John Kirby, the US considers diplomatic engagement and direct conversations essential moves to fill in the gaps. The US will call on leaders across the region to take affirmative steps to calm tensions.