Rift deepens between Saudi Arabia and Iran

By Keith Walker



Further demonstrations against Saudi Arabia have taken place in Iran as the diplomatic rift between the two regional rivals grows.

Riyadh and Tehran were already hostile towards each other over an ongoing conflict in Yemen where Saudi-led fighters are battling against Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Last weekend Riyadh executed prominent Shi’ite cleric Nimr Bakir al-Nimr unleashing a wave of anger from Shi’ite Iran against Sunni Saudi Arabia.

Saudi diplomatic buildings in the Iranian cities of Tehran and Mashhad were attacked and set on fire following the beheading. Iran’s government condemned the
attacks and called for the highest penalty for the wrongdoers.

On Thursday (January 7), Iran announced that its embassy in Yemen has been attacked by Saudi fighters.

Although Saudi has not admitted responsibility for the attack, Arab coalition spokesperson Ahmad al-Asiri claimed that the Houthis have used abandoned embassy buildings for military purposes. However, he said he would investigate Iran’s claims.

‘Israel and US responsible for all crimes against Muslims’

During weekly prayers in Tehran on Friday (January 8) influential cleric Ayatollah Mohammad Emami Kashani told worshippers that Riyadh, along with Israel and the United States, was responsible for “all crimes committed against Muslims”.

“The Zionist regime plans, the US supports and Saudi Arabia sources the necessary funds,” Kashani said, according to state news agency IRNA.

“The attack on the Saudi embassy was led from behind the scenes by a group of insiders from the enemy itself,” Kashani said. “By doing so, they wanted to put the ball in our court, then hold their hands up and end relations. They also used ignorant people.

Attacking the Saudi embassy is condemned and its agents are all criminals, which is why the government, judiciary, and the parliament condemed it from the start,” added Kashani.

‘Death to Al-Saud’

Around 1,000 demonstrators crowded Tehran on Friday chanting “death to Al-Saud” — Riyadh’s ruling family, according to an AFP photographer.

Others shouted “death to America” and “death to Israel”, frequent rallying cries at demonstrations in Iran.

Russia offered to intervene in the conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia, but Riyadh declined. The Iraqi foreign minister also mentioned the proposal, but has not provided a definitive response.

A foreign ministry official, who wanted to remain anonymous, told euronews that the dispute between Saudi Arabia and Iran does not require intervention by a third party, and, if necessary, the two countries will negotiate directly with each other.

Iranians due to go on trial in Saudi Arabia

In a development that could further strain relations, Saudi media reported Friday that four Iranians would go on trial in the kingdom, one for spying and the other three for “terrorism”.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-01-09

Obama's Iran Nuclear deal blowing up in his face.

They also used ignorant people.

I like that. Pot and kettle comes to mind.

Obama's Iran Nuclear deal blowing up in his face.

I don't think so

Much better to build bridges with Iran than snuggle up with those Saudi barbarians

The Iranians I've met have been very nice people. It's their leadership that needs changing.

The Family Feud. Just love it...

The Iranians I've met have been very nice people. It's their leadership that needs changing.

Iran, a country once on the road to modernizing, which of its own decision threw itself fourteen centuries into the past. Interesting photos, here.

http://badraie.com/beforeafter.htm

Personally I hope they destroy each other.

We should back Iran, they have troops in Iraq and Syria fighting Saudi backed ISIS

We should back Iran, they have troops in Iraq and Syria fighting Saudi backed ISIS

Iran is also closing religious schools in Syria or converting them to Shia. It's basically a proxy war in Syria with Saudi Arabia and Iran trying to gain more influence and expanding their own versions of Islam. Sick.

Personally I hope they destroy each other.

Sacre bleu! Hopefully their cuisine survives!!

The Family Feud. Just love it...

family?

The Iranians I've met have been very nice people. It's their leadership that needs changing.

Iran, a country once on the road to modernizing, which of its own decision threw itself fourteen centuries into the past. Interesting photos, here.

http://badraie.com/beforeafter.htm

with a bit of help from some western governments

Let's face it...these Islamic extremists that run Iran and Saudi are too demented to be understood in terms of western civilization minds...they understand strength by force...any other effort to work out a solution with these thugs is seen as a sign of weakness and tumidness...

All the negotiations over Iran's nuclear ambitions was a farce...Iran never intended to stop their production...they laugh at the naive Americans and their stupid propaganda of a nuclear deal...

Obama has just approved the release of billions of US dollars to Iran to further their ME ambitions...

One must quietly wonder...

Yes people in general are nice. Iran need new leadership huh what about Saudi Arabia their leadership is good?

The Iranians I've met have been very nice people. It's their leadership that needs changing.

Without choosing sides the Shia in Saudi Arabia are treated like second class citizens. They are not allowed prominent government positions or allowed into the military. When they do succeed in breaking some of these roadblocks, as in being an engineer in an oil company, the are often overlooked when it comes to promotions.

As near as I can tell that Shia Cleric that was put to death in Saudi Arabia was for the crime of asking for free elections. Baring that he asked for his community in the Eastern Province (Shia) to be separated from Saudi Arabia. He was a Shia Leader in Saudi Arabia and he may have encouraged protesting, but never violent protesting. He is on record as saying that the word was greater than the sword.

With this new king in power the capital punishment rate has more than doubled. There new "Pump Oil to the High Heaven" policy has crippled several world countries, with no regard to them at all. In fact over this past 18 months the one area they did not do much harm too much was there target, the USA Oil Fracking Industry, as production rates of oil has gone up since then, and not down.

This nonsense Oil Policy has also hurt there own economy and created a deficit to a tune of 107 Billion Dollars last year. But instead of scrapping this Oil Policy they continue on there stubborn and selfish ways only to show the world how much power this new king has, with no regard to any other nation. Oil Prices were about $100 / bbl when they started this. So what was so wrong with that?

Personally I see Saudi Arabia entering dangerous territory and not only with Iran. With its own people and allies to. Something that past (Good) King would not allow to happen. No matter how much cheap oil you have, no country is an island.

You know almost every single Jihadist group are Salafist/Wahabist Sunni Muslims. Let the marinate for a few minutes. You know that's the branch of Islam that they have in Saudi Arabia. Osama Bin Laden was Saudi...and wahabist. IS same thing salafist/wahabist sunni.

We should back Iran, they have troops in Iraq and Syria fighting Saudi backed ISIS

Iran is also closing religious schools in Syria or converting them to Shia. It's basically a proxy war in Syria with Saudi Arabia and Iran trying to gain more influence and expanding their own versions of Islam. Sick.

your starting arguments made sense when you talking about the oppression of Shia. But when you moved in to financial you kind lost me. oilprices at 100$ per barrel is too high. and cripple normal people because taxes on oil in many countries are extremely high. so lower oil prices benefits all countries that are not oil producing. and it seems like your defending Fracking of oil in the US which is a very destructive and intrusive way of extracting oil and pollutes groundwater etc. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Without choosing sides the Shia in Saudi Arabia are treated like second class citizens. They are not allowed prominent government positions or allowed into the military. When they do succeed in breaking some of these roadblocks, as in being an engineer in an oil company, the are often overlooked when it comes to promotions.

As near as I can tell that Shia Cleric that was put to death in Saudi Arabia was for the crime of asking for free elections. Baring that he asked for his community in the Eastern Province (Shia) to be separated from Saudi Arabia. He was a Shia Leader in Saudi Arabia and he may have encouraged protesting, but never violent protesting. He is on record as saying that the word was greater than the sword.

With this new king in power the capital punishment rate has more than doubled. There new "Pump Oil to the High Heaven" policy has crippled several world countries, with no regard to them at all. In fact over this past 18 months the one area they did not do much harm too much was there target, the USA Oil Fracking Industry, as production rates of oil has gone up since then, and not down.

This nonsense Oil Policy has also hurt there own economy and created a deficit to a tune of 107 Billion Dollars last year. But instead of scrapping this Oil Policy they continue on there stubborn and selfish ways only to show the world how much power this new king has, with no regard to any other nation. Oil Prices were about $100 / bbl when they started this. So what was so wrong with that?

Personally I see Saudi Arabia entering dangerous territory and not only with Iran. With its own people and allies to. Something that past (Good) King would not allow to happen. No matter how much cheap oil you have, no country is an island.

At least there is some good news today

The Iranians I've met have been very nice people. It's their leadership that needs changing.

Iran, a country once on the road to modernizing, which of its own decision threw itself fourteen centuries into the past. Interesting photos, here.

http://badraie.com/beforeafter.htm

Interesting comparison pictures to view with your provided URL link.

Everyone who forgot should see these pictures...

The Iranians I've met have been very nice people. It's their leadership that needs changing.

Same here and you could not be more right.

Glorifying the Pahlavi Dynasty. That's some good work LOL...

But I do think it's worth remembering that Iran had a secular government in 1953.