Russia Calls on Tehran, Riyadh to Show Restraint

Russia's foreign ministry expressed "serious concern" about the worsening situation in the region and called on Iran, Saudi Arabia, and others "to show restraint and avoid any steps that would complicate the situation and lead to a rise in tensions".

Also in reaction to an attack by Iranian outraged protesters on the Saudi embassy in Tehran, it said in no circumstances attacks on diplomatic representations can be considered legitimate means of protest or expression of political views

"We would like to underline that attacks on foreign diplomatic missions cannot be considered, under any circumstances, as legitimate means of protest or expression of political views," media reports quoted the ministry as saying in a statement commenting on escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

Russia's reaction came after on Saturday, Saudi Arabia executed prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, among dozens of others. The execution ignited widespread international condemnation, from both political and religious figures.

In the early hours of Sunday, furious demonstrators in the Iranian cities of Tehran and Mashhad stormed Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic buildings in protest at the Al Saud’s execution of the popular cleric.

Iranian officials criticized the embassy attack and police arrested several individuals involved.

But the Saudi foreign ministry announced on Sunday it was cutting diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic following the angry protests in Iran.