Iranian Diplomatic Mission Personnel Returns Home From Saudi Arabia

The employees of the Iranian diplomatic mission have returned to Tehran from Saudi Arabia after the latter broke off ties with Iran over attacks on its embassy following the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric by Saudis, a source in the Iranian Foreign Ministry told Sputnik Wednesday.

TEHRAN (Sputnik) – Riyadh announced on January 2 it had executed for alleged terror-related offenses a total of 47 people, including Shiite preacher Nimr al-Nimr. The following day, a violent mob stormed the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, setting fire to the building.

Earlier in the week, members of the Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran returned back to Riyadh.

Sudan and Bahrain followed suit and cut diplomatic ties with Iran, while the United Arab Emirates said it was downgrading its relations with the Islamic republic. Kuwait recalled its ambassador from the Iranian capital amid the row as well.