Saudi Arabia cuts diplomatic ties with Iran

Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Iran on Sunday as tensions between the two countries escalated after the execution of cleric Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr.

At a press conference in Riyadh, the Saudi foreign minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir said members of Iran’s diplomatic mission had 48 hours to leave the country.

The assault on diplomatic missions constitutes a flagrant violation of all international agreements, charters and treaties, he added.

The kingdom has also decided to withdraw all its diplomats from Iran, noting attacks on its embassy in Tehran and threat to personnel.

Earlier on Sunday, Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran following news of Al-Nimr’s execution. The attacks came a day after Saudi Arabia summoned the Iranian ambassador to the kingdom over “hostile” remarks made by officials, the Saudi ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement.

Meanwhile, turmoil in the region and an expectation of supply disruption pushed oil prices higher on Monday.