Oman Regrets Attacks on Saudi Missions
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Oman’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday expressed regret at attacks on Saudi diplomatic posts in Iran over Riyadh's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.
"A statement issued by the foreign ministry said that the Sultanate considers this action (attacks on the Saudi missions) unacceptable," the Oman News Agency (ONA) reported.
The statement came after the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in the northeastern city of Mashhad were partially damaged by protesters furious at the execution of Sheikh Nimr as well as the monarchy’s continued interventionist and destabilizing policies in the region.
In response to the protests in Tehran, the Saudi government on Sunday announced that Riyadh was ceasing its diplomatic relations with Tehran.
Meanwhile, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian said in Tehran's first response that by severing 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.
