DUSHANBE, January 5, 2016, Asia-Plus — A number of Saudi Arabia”s allies have joined diplomatic action against Iran after the Saudi embassy in Tehran was attacked amid a row over the execution of a Shia Muslim cleric.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recalled its ambassador from Iran and downgraded diplomatic relations with Tehran.
The UAE said on January 4 it has recalled its ambassador from Iran and downgraded diplomatic relations with Tehran over its “interference” in the affairs of Gulf and Arab countries.
The UAE had decided to lower “diplomatic representation to the level of charge d”affaires and reduce the number of Iranian diplomats in the country,” the foreign ministry said in a statement, quoted by the official
WAM
news agency.
“This exceptional step has been taken in the light of Iran”s continuous interference in the internal affairs of Gulf and Arab states, which has reached unprecedented levels,” said the UAE foreign ministry.
It said relations should be based on “mutual respect for the sovereignty” and “non-interference in the internal affairs of others.”
The UAE enjoys strong business ties with Iran, and the emirate of Dubai is home to a large Iranian community.
The move came after Saudi Arabia severed links with the Islamic Republic of Iran on January 3, amid escalating tensions triggered by the execution of a Shiite cleric in the Sunni-ruled kingdom at the weekend.
Bahrain and Sudan followed suit by also cutting ties with Iran on January 4.
Al-Jazeera
reports that Bahrain said on Monday it is severing its diplomatic ties with Iran and has called upon Iranian diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours.
Bahrain, which is ruled by a Sunni monarchy but has a majority Shia population, accused Iran of “increasing, flagrant and dangerous meddling” in the internal affairs of Gulf and Arab states.
Sudan said on January 4 it was cutting diplomatic ties with Iran after the storming of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Tehran and consulate building elsewhere in Iran.
Saudi Arabia and Iran are respectively the key Sunni and Shia powers in the region and back opposing sides in Syria and Yemen.
