Qatari envoy to Iran recalled over attacks

The two Middle Eastern countries are raising the level of hostilities between them, at considerable risk not only to peace in the region, an important general objective for America, but also to the implementation of the global accord with Iran over its nuclear weapons program.

The attacks were carried out by protesters angry at the kingdom’s execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.

Meanwhile Thursday, Iran banned the import of goods from Saudi Arabia over the tensions, according to a report by Iranian state television.

Several Saudi allies have rallied the kingdom’s side, with a number of nations following its lead in either cutting or reducing diplomatic ties with Iran.

‘We have solid relations with the Islamic Republic (Iran)… and also we have relations with our Arab brothers and therefore we can not stay silent in this crisis, ‘ Jaafari told the join press conference.

Iran lashed out again at Saudi Arabia for the execution on Tuesday, with President Hassan Rouhani accusing Riyadh of seeking to “cover its crime” by severing ties.

“A statement issued by the foreign ministry said that the Sultanate considers this action unacceptable and at the same time affirms the importance of finding new rules that prohibit any kind of intervention in countries’ internal affairs”, the Oman News Agency reported.

“It also confirms the embassy building is safe and has not been damaged”.

The Yemeni conflict, which pits the rebels known as Huthis against pro-government forces backed by Riyadh and other Gulf Arab states, is one of the main sources of dispute between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

The Saudis have called the claim “not credible” and called for an investigation, and, indeed, early reports from witnesses say the strike was not aimed at the embassy.

Defence Minister and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that war with Iran was “something that we do not foresee at all, and whoever is pushing towards that is somebody who is not in their right mind”.

Iran’s annual exports to Saudi Arabia are worth about US$130 million a year and are mainly steel, cement and agricultural products.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have long vied for influence in the Middle East. Their rivalry deepened following the toppling of Saddam Hussein in Iraq and the chaos of the Arab Spring, which gave rise to proxy wars in Syria and Yemen.

Last week, Saudi Arabia sent an ambassador to Baghdad for the first time in 25 years.