Morocco Reiterates its Condemnation of Attacks on Saudi Diplomatic Missions in Iran

The Cabinet thanked all sisterly and friendly countries, which announced their stand and solidarity with Saudi Arabia in its decision, and chose to recall their ambassadors and cut off diplomatic relations with the Republic of Iran.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran soured after execution of Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric, by the Kingdom. In particular, the Saudi embassy in the capital Tehran and the consulate in the city of Mashhad were attacked, after which Riyadh broke off diplomatic ties with Tehran on January 3.

Lorajani continued on to blast the attitudes of the Saudi leadership stating that Saudi officials speak with the illusion that they have control of the affairs of all Islamic countries. Qatar’s foreign ministry described the embassy attack as a “violation of global charters and norms that ensure the security and protection of diplomatic missions and their members”.

He said PM Adviser Sartaj Aziz would take the joint committees into confidence over all negotiations held with Saudi foreign and defence ministers.

President Hassan Rouhani asked Iran’s judiciary last week to urgently prosecute those who attacked the Saudi embassy “to put an end once and for all to such damage and insults to Iran’s dignity and national security”.

More than 40 people have been arrested in connection with the attacks.

“The objective of Sheikh Nimr’s execution and attacks on the Saudi embassy [in Tehran] was to pave the way for the advancement of the USA policies in the region”, he said.

Tehran Prosecutor-General Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi said on January 11 that the attackers are still being identified, arrested, and interrogated.

Mr Zarif said Iran had immediately condemned the violence at the Saudi embassy and had since taken action against those who failed to protect the compound, while an investigation was under way. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.