MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Saudi Arabia does not want stability in the region, as "chaos" would help the country to cover up its domestic and regional failures, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday.
#Saudi Arabia doesn't want peace & stability in the region because chaos helps it cover up its domestic problems & failed regional policies.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) 6 января 2016
The Iranian leader accused Riyadh of exacerbating the divide between the Sunni and Shia Muslims, as well as of undermining the Iraqi and Syrian governments by funding and arming extremists.
Nevertheless Iran continues on w/strength & determination. #JCPOA will soon be implemented, sanctions lifted &economy will grow, God willing
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) 6 января 2016
Riyadh announced on January 2 it had executed for alleged terror-related offenses a total of 47 people, including Shiite preacher Nimr al-Nimr.
Following the incident, protesters attacked the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Tehran and the country's General Consulate in Mashhad.
We seek good relations with all countries. We condemn the attack on #Saudi embassy & consulate. All political missions should be protected.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) 6 января 2016
The events led to Riyadh breaking off diplomatic ties with Tehran, with other regional countries following suit.
