World

UAE, Bahrain cut ties with Iran after attacks on Saudi missions

Saudi Arabia cut ties with regional rival Iran on Sunday after Iranian protesters attacked its mission

Afp/reuters January 04, 2016

flames and smoke rise from saudi arabia 039 s embassy during a demonstration in tehran january 2 2016 photo reuters

Flames and smoke rise from Saudi Arabia's embassy during a demonstration in Tehran January 2, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

DUBAI: Bahrain announced on Monday it was cutting diplomatic ties with Iran, state news agency BNA reported, a day after its ally and neighbour Saudi Arabia also severed relations with Tehran.

"Bahrain decided to break off diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and calls upon all members of the mission to leave the kingdom within 48 hours," BNA said.

Saudi embassy attacked in Tehran: news agency

Similarly, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also announced on Monday it was downgrading diplomatic ties with Iran and limiting the number of Iranian diplomats in the country, state news agency WAM reported.

"The UAE has decided to reduce the level of diplomatic representation with the Islamic Republic of Iran to the level of a charge d'affaires and to reduce the number of Iranian diplomats in the country," WAM said.

Saudi Arabia severs ties with Iran: foreign minister

Saudi Arabia cut ties with regional rival Iran on Sunday after Iranian protesters attacked its mission there, angered by the Sunni Muslim kingdom's decision to execute a leading Shia cleric. Iran is the main Shia power.

Sudan expels Iranian ambassador

Sudan also decided to expel the Iranian ambassador in protest at an attack on Saudi Arabia's embassy in Tehran, Saudi state television station Ekhbariya reported on Monday.

"The Sudanese government announces the cutting of diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran immediately," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

COMMENTS (20)

Khalid Saeed | 8 years ago | Reply Iran enjoyed good relationship with Pakistan every time when Bhuttos were in Power. At the same time, SA had cold relationship with Pakistan under Bhuttos regime. Why? Answer is simple, look at the religious background of Bhuttos. Iran needs to have leadership who can recognize its role in the region irrespective of religious affiliation. Currently this appear to be extremely remote chance.

Whatacountry | 8 years ago | Reply @Mohammed Naim: Yes violaters of western human rights which mean debauchery and treachery.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Hameed | 8 years ago | Reply @Hammad:

Iran has been always involved in spreading violence and hatred in the region.

Which newspapers have you been reading? Aabpara times? Usually its the Pakistan that gets blamed for spreading violence and hatred in the region. Afghans, Indians, Bengali and others all blame Pakistan.

No | 8 years ago | Reply @Asif: No, Pakistan Government is directly or indirectly under the influence of the Iranian lobby, which has tremendous representation in many institutions of Pakistan, including the media, and the military, and would always remain subservient. Do not worry.

True | 8 years ago | Reply @Pakistani: The Iranians got centrifuges from Pakistan during the first Benazir Government (1988-1990) but under Western pressure divulged the secret of the undisclosed transfer, providing evidence against Pakistan in terms of nuclear proliferation.

Well done | 8 years ago | Reply It is time to call a spade a spade. Iran has been fueling the killings of over two hundred thousand Syrians by supporting the despotic regime of Assad. The ISIS is much worse, but like ISIS, Iranian militias rape and plunder in the areas they take back from from the ISIS.

Mohammed Naim | 8 years ago | Reply Saudis are we all know the greatest violators of human rights in the Middle East

Hammad | 8 years ago | Reply Iran has been always involved in spreading violence and hatred in the region.

Pakistani Shia | 8 years ago | Reply Iran has no shame. Thousands of Muslims have been killed in Syria by Iranian proxies. And what for? So Iranians can protect a despot and maintain their power in Middle East? Disgusting! Same goes for Saudis, Qataris, and Emiratis. Shame on you all.

Asif | 8 years ago | Reply @Pakistani - Iran is the first country to internationally recognise the sovereign status of Pakistan in August 1947. We never had a harmful relationship with Iran but Saudi Arabia openly funded hundreds and thousands of madrassas here (and elsewhere in the entire world in the tune of $100+ billion over the past 30 years), sowing a venomous ideology that resulted in terrorism and with deaths of thousands of civilians and military men and financial losses and still it is going on here in Pakistan. Saudi Arabia only helped us when they thought they could get a better return on their investments. They openly bribed our governments (such as $1.5b 'loan' given to Nawaz Sharif gov without any details of the loan terms). They always thought of us as cheap foot soldiers (though we have many that would want to be exactly that). It is not a good relationship for us with these arrogant, self-centered and hate-preaching kingdoms and sheikhdoms. They will be gone sooner or later - please distance ourselves from them.

Asif | 8 years ago | Reply I wish Pakistani gov not be as stupid as Sudan - rushing to please their masters ... not even giving 48 hours notice to leave!

Khalid Saeed | 8 years ago | Reply Ever since the revolution of Khomeini in Iran, the religious leadership of Iran has been exporting its religious/secretarian extremism to other countries special Pakistan. In Pakistan the Shia community, which hardly amount to 15 - 18 % of total population is so dominating that it arranges its religious procession more frequently than it was before the revolution. Iranians dream of occupying city of Medina one day is so terrifying as everybody know the hate of Shias towards the Prophets companion and His wives. If Iran wish to maintain harmony and peace among muslim, they they must understand its own role in the region. KSA has done what Iran has been doing against Sunni minorities in the south for several decades. It has to be stopped by both side, should we wish maintain peace and stability in the region.

Pakistani | 8 years ago | Reply Not that I am fan of Saudi but Iran is one evil country. It has always been against Pakistan whether it be against India or in matter of Dr Qadeer. We should also send Iranian diplomatic s back home as they are fueling Sunni shia divide here.

pro peace | 8 years ago | Reply Iran is playing with fire and has been facilitating killing of Muslims in the middle east

Point | 8 years ago | Reply you fools. Fire was triggered by west and Shia, Sunni became enemies. Have you ever seen the various factions of christianity fighting with each-other. They hate each other but unitedly created problems between Muslims.

Raymond Khan | 8 years ago | Reply All the oppressive regimes are uniting against Iran.

Farru | 8 years ago | Reply These middle eastern countries think they are fighting for their existence, though this war is to show off power and influence in the region. This is a pure political warfare in garb of sectarianism. Pakistan should remain out of this political/sectarian madness.

Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Pretty obvious move.. I won't be surprised if other gcc follow this step. Iran is playing sectarian card pretty well. Initially allowing people to attack the embassy while security officers were watching the drama. Iran has executed many sunni scholars but starts playing the victim card when one of its extremists are punished

Stranger | 8 years ago | Reply B is scared of its big bro KSA .

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