Iran says a Saudi-led airstrike hit Iranian Embassy in Yemen

The row between Saudi Arabia, the main Sunni power, and Shia-dominated Iran erupted following Riyadh’s execution on Saturday of prominent Shia cleric and activist Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

The protesters took to the streets after Friday prayers in the town of Sitra, south of the Bahraini capital of Manama, chanting slogans against the government, which is allied with Saudi Arabia’s Sunni monarchy.

Shaikh Nimr’s execution has led to the breaking of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran while a number of other Arab countries have also either severed or downgraded their diplomatic relations with Tehran. But anger could be felt in the hall, as videos showed mourners shouting: “Death to the Al Saud”, a reference to the royal family.

Iranian protesters responded by attacking the Saudi Embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad.

FILE – In this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016 file photo, Iranian demonstrators burn representations of the USA and Israeli flags during a demonstration in front of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Tehran, Iran.

“We have solid relations with the Islamic Republic (Iran)…”

In another development, Islamic State yesterday threatened to destroy Saudi Arabian prisons holding jihadists after Riyadh’s execution of 47 people including 43 convicted al Qaeda militants.

Speaking at a meeting with the visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, in Tehran, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani described as “regrettable and unacceptable” the execution of Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr by the Saudi regime.

Qatar join its gulf allies in cutting diplomatic ties with Iran. “Whether you approve or not of the decision is a separate issue, executions in Saudi Arabia are a matter of domestic law”, Erdogan said.

Al-Nimr was a staunch critic of the Saudi government and demanded greater rights for the kingdom’s Shiite population, but always denied advocating violence.

Meanwhile, Bahrain claimed to have caught an Iranian-linked cell plotting attacks on its territory.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday urged Iran and Saudi Arabia to calm tensions, saying the hostility between the two key Muslim powers would only further escalate problems in an explosive region. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani accused Riyadh of fuelling regional tensions.