Saudi Will Collapse If Keeps Its ‘Sectarian’ Policies: Iran Guards

Those attacks came after Saudi Arabia executed prominent opposition Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr over the weekend.

The government also noted that a ban on Iranians travelling to the Saudi holy city of Mecca for the umrah pilgrimage was also in place “until further notice”.

Iran has banned the import of goods from Saudi Arabia after the kingdom cut diplomatic ties over attacks on the Saudi embassy following the execution of a Shiite cleric.

Saudi coalition spokesman Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri said their jets carried out heavy strikes in Sanaa on Wednesday night, targetting missile launchers used by the Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia.

Among other Saudi allies, the United Arab Emirates has downgraded relations with Iran while Kuwait and Qatar have recalled their ambassadors.

Iran has accused Saudi Arabia of using the attack on the embassy as an excuse to sever ties and increase sectarian tensions.

Somalia joins Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Bahrain in cutting ties to Iran amid the crisis.

The ministry had handed summoned Iranian ambassador in Doha and handed him a protest memo, slammed the attack which, it said represented a violation of the worldwide charters and norms that emphasise the protection of diplomatic missions and their staff, the statement added.

Saudi Arabia announced that its air forces shot down a missile fired from Yemen, where the kingdom is leading an anti-rebel coalition.

Zarif also accused the Saudis of mistreating Iraqi pilgrims which has fueled “public outrage in Iran”, and appointing preachers who have made “a routine practice of hate speech not only against Iran but against all Shiite Muslims”.

The growing tensions have heaped doubt on a UN-backed plan that foresees talks between the Syrian sides this month in a bid to end a war that has claimed more than a quarter of a million lives. “Because a war between Saudi Arabia and Iran is the beginning of a major catastrophe in the region….” Zarif, meanwhile, blamed Saudi Arabia for exacerbating the situation.

With fears of weaker Chinese demand also mounting, NY s main crude contract slid to a 12-year low of $32.10 a barrel on Thursday.