Kuwait recalls envoy to Iran after attacks on Saudi missions

The diplomatic crisis surrounding Saudi Arabia and Iran widened as Kuwait recalled its ambassador to Teheran in the face of growing worldwide concern. The United Arab Emirates has also downgraded diplomatic ties with Iran, which is dominated by Shiites.

In response to a Saudi letter, the U.N. Security Council late Monday strongly condemned the attacks by Iranian protesters on Saudi diplomatic posts.

The expert believes that the Shiite Muslim bloc led by Iran is supported by Russian Federation and China, while the Sunni Muslim bloc led by Saudi Arabia is supported by the U.S. and Europe.

A statement posted on his official website said Rouhani discussed the current diplomatic dispute with visiting Danish Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen.

Tensions between the regional rivals skyrocketed after Saudi Arabia executed Shia Muslim scholar Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and 46 others on Saturday after they were convicted of terrorism-related charges.

Earlier, Iran’s foreign ministry said Saudi Arabia was using the attack on its embassy in Tehran as a pretext to fuel tensions.

“Such action constitutes a flagrant breach of global conventions and violation of Iran’s worldwide commitment over security and safety of diplomatic missions on its lands”, the Kuwaiti foreign ministry said. Iran even arrested some of the protesters who stormed the Saudi facilities.

Instead, “it is Saudi Arabia that will suffer”, Nobakht said.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said yesterday Saudi Arabia can not respond to criticism of its regime by cutting off heads.

The Times newspaper reported on Tuesday that British Prime Minister David Cameron had delayed a trip to Saudi Arabia.

Restating the kingdom’s position on Syria, Jubeir said Riyadh sought a solution based on the Geneva 1 communique, a 2012 document setting out guidelines for a path to peace including a transitional governing authority, SPA said.

Two UN envoys were dispatched to Riyadh to safeguard the gains made in the peace talks. “We have taken this exceptional step in light of Iran’s ongoing interference in internal (Gulf Cooperation Council) and Arab affairs that has recently reached unprecedented levels”.

“One of the key things on his mind is deescalate the tensions, restore some sense of calm, encourage dialogue and engagement between these countries, but also to make the point there are other pressing issues in the region”, Kirby said.

The move comes a day after Saudi cut diplomatic ties with Iran following a row over the execution of a Shia cleric in the kingdom.

“From our side it should have no effect because we will continue to work very hard towards supporting the peace efforts in Syria, in Yemen, wherever there might be a need for that”.