Riyadh Sees Its Survival in Escalating Tensions: Iranian Spokesman
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari underlined that Riyadh’s decision to sever diplomatic relations with Tehran has its roots in the Saudi regime’s belief that it can survive by escalating tensions.
“It seems that Saudi Arabia sees not only its interest, but also its survival in continuing tensions and conflicts and is trying to settle its domestic problems through playing a blame game,” Jaberi Ansari said in his weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday.
Saudi Arabia’s harsh responses to the demands of freedom and reform by the people of the Arab country, the latest of which was the crackdown on the opposition and the execution of dissidents, including prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, indicate that the country is facing different internal and external crises and is pursuing a policy of escalating tensions, he added.
The foreign ministry spokesman further pointed to a recent rally in front of the Saudi embassy in Tehran which turned violent, and said the incident was not the first in the world.
He went on to say that the Islamic Republic has met its duty to control public anti-Saudi sentiments and is committed to protecting diplomatic premises according to international law.
“However, Saudi Arabia has exploited the issue as a pretext to increase tensions and conflicts,” he noted.
Iranian protesters staged the rally Saturday in front of the Saudi embassy to condemn the Riyadh regime for executing Sheikh Nimr.
Saudi Arabia earlier on Saturday executed 47 prisoners, including Sheikh Nimr.
The cleric’s name was among a list of the 47 carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency. It cited the interior ministry for the information. Saudi state television also reported the executions.
Sheikh Nimr had been detained in July 2012 on charges of delivering anti-regime speeches and defending political prisoners.