The Bahraini government said in a statement on Monday that Manama is severing its diplomatic relations with Tehran in the wake of Iran's objection to Saudi Arabia's execution of prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, AFP reported.
The move came shortly after Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Sunday announced the severance of relations with Iran and added the Iranian envoy had been asked to leave Saudi Arabia within 48 hours.
"The kingdom, in light of these realities, announces the cutting of diplomatic relations with Iran and requests the departure of delegates of diplomatic missions of the embassy and consulate and offices related to it within 48 hours. The ambassador has been summoned to notify them," he said.
Speaking on Iranian state television, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian said in Tehran's first response that by cutting diplomatic ties, Riyadh could not cover up "its major mistake of executing Sheikh Nimr".
Saudi Arabia’s execution of 47 prisoners, including Sheikh Nimr, on Saturday drew global condemnation.
The executions took place in 12 cities in Saudi Arabia, four prisons using firing squads and the others beheading. The bodies were then hanged from gibbets in the most severe form of punishment available in the kingdom's law.
Sheikh Nimr had been detained in July 2012 on charges of delivering anti-regime speeches and defending political prisoners.