Saudi Arabia has announced the severing of diplomatic relations with its main regional rival the Islamic Republic of Iran. A corresponding statement was made by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.
"Saudi Arabia is severing its diplomatic relations with Iran, Iran's diplomatic mission had 48 hours to leave the country," TASS cited the minister as saying.
"We will not allow Iran to threaten our security and stability and create terrorist cells in this country or on the territory of our allies. We decided it will be better for us to cut diplomatic relations, since Iran continues to contribute to the spread of terrorism," the diplomat added.
"Riyadh cannot evade its "big mistake" of executing a prominent Shiite cleric by cutting diplomatic ties with Iran," Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian noted.
Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was among 47 people convicted on terrorism charges whose execution Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday.
"The Saudi Arabian government is using the language of execution against its opponents, such as Sheikh al-Nimr, while offering support to terrorists who violate peace and security and pose a threat to people living in the region," a spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry Hossein Jaber Ansari said.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has handed the Iranian Ambassador a note of protest.
