Comoros Recalls Ambassador from Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Union of the Comoros has recalled its ambassador from Tehran as a sign of solidarity with Saudi Arabia, following angry protests in Tehran over Saudi Arabia’s execution of prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
In a statement, Comoros Ministry of External Relations and Cooperation reiterated solidarity and friendship with Saudi Arabia and censured Tehran for what it called interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom.
The decision by Comoros followed similar announcements from a few number of Arab and African countries, including Bahrain, Sudan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait, which joined Saudi Arabia in severing or downgrading diplomatic ties with Iran earlier this week.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Sunday announced the severance of all relations with Iran.
Speaking on Iranian state television, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian said in Tehran's first response that by cutting diplomatic ties, Riyadh could not cover up "its major mistake of executing Sheikh Nimr".
Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday, January 2, that it has executed 47 prisoners including Sheikh Nimr.
The executions, which drew global condemnation, took place in 12 cities in Saudi Arabia, four prisons using firing squads and the others beheading. The bodies were then hanged from gibbets in the most severe form of punishment available in the kingdom's law.
Sheikh Nimr was detained in July 2012 on charges of delivering anti-regime speeches and defending political prisoners.