China envoy calls for calm and restraint between Saudi, Iran

Saudi Arabia had adopted the policy of confronting the regional realities and they seek escalation of tensions and hostility with Iran, Jaber Ansari said.

Zarif called the killing of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr “barbaric”, and after listing a series of Saudi “provocations” against Iran said his government has never reacted by downgrading their diplomatic relations.

The Cabinet condemned the attacks, destruction, burning and looting at the kingdom’s embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad, noting that the attacks came after Iranian aggressive regime’s comments which formed a blatant incitement that encouraged attacks on the missions and represented a flagrant violation of all global agreements, charters and treaties.

The United Arab Emirates lowered the level of their relations with Iran to charges d’affaires and cut the number of accredited Iranian diplomats.

“The facets of cooperation and different activities of the Coalition will be decided after consultative meetings which will be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the near future”. Iran’s cabinet has banned Saudi-made imports.

The dispute has raised fears of increased sectarian unrest across the Middle East and concerns it could derail efforts to resolve a range of conflicts, including in Yemen and Syria, where Saudi Arabia and Iran support opposing sides.

But all apart from Bahrain stopped short of severing ties, responses that suggest these small states – energy powers but military minnows – wish to safeguard strategic interests and avoid a full-blown conflict with Iran in which they would fare poorly.

Well-known Saudi scholar and TV host Mohsin Shaikh Al-Hassan issued a statement on Monday urging all Arabs and Muslims to boycott Iranian products.

“I can refer to you from minister Zarif that there is no intention to see the current tensions affect the current engagement in the Vienna momentum, of which they (Iran) are very much part”, he said. “We will not allow Saudi actions to have a negative impact”.

The Saudi defence minister will also meet meet Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif.

Saudi’s Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said that Arab nations would “confront” the Islamic Republic if it does not change its ways, without elaborating.