Saudi-Iran row creates new uncertainties in volatile Middle East

In particular, foreign ministers from across the Arab world who met in Cairo condemned “hostile Iranian statements” that were released after Saudi Arabia’s execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr on January 2.

A demonstration was held on Monday in Tehran to protest against Saudi Arabia’s execution of Baqer al-Nimr, a prominent Shia scholar who was known to be an open opponent to the Sunni ruling dynasty. After a mob in Tehran attacked the Saudi embassy, the government in Riyadh severed diplomatic and some commercial ties, and several allies followed suit. Riyadh denies this. Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir reiterated Saudi “support for the Syrian opposition and for efforts to find a peaceful solution” in the country.

The Prime Minister affirmed that people of Pakistan have bonds with the people of Saudi Arabia through historical, cultural and Islamic ties of brotherhood.

In Yemen, Iran supports the Shiite al-Houthi rebels, while Saudi Arabia in April 2015 cobbled together a Sunni coalition that last week ended a fragile cease-fire that had been in place since the 15 of December a year ago.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry had said that Moscow was ready to render any necessary assistance to help Iran and Saudi Arabia resolve their dispute.

Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and multiple other countries in the region announced over subsequent days that they were severing or downgrading relations with Tehran but reaction from Canadian political leaders was tepid.

“So this incident is not necessarily within a chain of constantly deteriorating climate” between Iran and Saudi, Tabatabai said, referring to Nimr’s execution and the subsequent sacking of the Saudi embassy in Tehran.

“Pakistan has historically pursued the policy of promoting brotherhood among member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation”, he told the Saudi deputy crown prince, according to his office.

The chief of the army of Pakistan is warning that if Iran threatens Saudi Arabia his country will strike back.

Iran understands the developments in the region and moves in line with them seeking to de-escalate tensions, the Iranian spokesman said. “If Iran wants to play a positive role in the region then it must deal with its neighbors based on the principle of good neighborliness”.