Pakistan urges Saudi Arabia, Iran to resolve difference through peaceful means

Expresses concerns over escalating tensions between the two gulf-states

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday expressed concerns over growing tension Saudi Arabia and Iran and called for the resolution of difference through peaceful means.

While condemning the attack on Saudi embassy in Tehran, Pakistan said it is the responsibility of the host country to provide full safety to all diplomatic missions and their personnel, read a statement issued by the ministry of foreign affairs.



Terming the attack on Saudi mission ‘unfortunate and deeply regrettable’, the statement said the extremist elements can take can take advantage of any disunity in the Muslim community.

Further, Pakistan called for the resolution of differences through peaceful means in the larger interest of Muslim unity.

Relations between Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia and Shia-ruled Iran have been strained for decades, with Riyadh frequently accusing Tehran of interfering in Arab affairs.



Both countries are also divided over a raft of issues, namely the nearly five-year war in Syria, where Iran is allied with the regime of embattled President Bashar al-Assad, and Yemen where a Saudi-led coalition is battling Iran-backed rebels.

However, tensions between the two escalated after Saudi Arabia on Saturday executed 47 people on charges of terrorism including 56-year-old cleric Nimr al-Nimr, a key figure in anti-government protests in the kingdom since 2011.

The execution prompted strong condemnation from Shia-majority Iran and Iraq.

Iran said in reaction to Nimr’s execution that “the Saudi government supports terrorist movements and extremists, but confronts domestic critics with oppression and execution.”

Later on Sunday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir announced that the kingdom was severing diplomatic ties with Iran after demonstrators stormed its Tehran embassy.

Jubeir also said that all Iranian diplomats must leave Saudi Arabia within 48 hours.

Saudi Arabia “is breaking off diplomatic ties with Iran and requests that all members of the Iranian diplomatic mission leave… within 48 hours,” he told a news conference.