Saudis Cut Ties With Iran Following Shiite Cleric Execution

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Saudi Arabia of “divine revenge” after execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.
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Saudis Cut Ties With Iran Following Shiite Cleric Execution
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at a meeting in Tehran on Aug. 17, 2015. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP
The Associated Press
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TEHRAN, Iran — Saudi Arabia announced Sunday it was severing diplomatic relations with Shiite powerhouse Iran amid escalating tensions over the Sunni kingdom’s execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.

The move came hours after protesters stormed and set fire to the Saudi Embassy in Tehran and followed harsh criticism by Iran’s top leader of the Saudis’ execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Iranian diplomatic personnel had 48 hours to leave his country and all Saudi diplomatic personnel in Iran had been called home.

(AP Photo)
AP Photo
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
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