“Jubeir said the attack in Tehran was in line with what he said were earlier Iranian assaults on foreign embassies there…” Yes, I recall one back in 1979. “…and with Iranian policies of destabilising the region by creating ‘terrorist cells’ in Saudi Arabia.” One wonders what the truth is behind that, if any. Is the Islamic Republic really creating “terrorist cells” in Saudi Arabia? Certainly it is active in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, so it isn’t inconceivable. Audacious, but not inconceivable.
Incidentally, you may recall Adel al-Jubeir as the longtime Saudi Ambassador to the United States, during which he demonstrated that he was an extremely slick propagandist and generally wore Western dress. Now, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, he has returned to more authentically Saudi garb.
“Saudi Arabia severs ties with Iran: official,” Reuters, January 3, 2016 (thanks to Steve):
RIYADH, Jan 3 (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia said on Sunday it had severed ties with Iran over the storming of the Saudi embassy in Tehran, in a worsening diplomatic crisis between the regional rivals following the kingdom’s execution of a prominent Shi’ite cleric.
Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told a news conference Iran’s diplomatic mission and related entities in Saudi Arabia had been given 48 hours to leave. He said Riyadh would not allow the Islamic Republic to undermine the Sunni kingdom’s security.
Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran early on Sunday and Shi’ite Muslim Iran’s top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, predicted “divine vengeance” for the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, an outspoken opponent of the kingdom’s ruling Al Saudi family.
Jubeir said the attack in Tehran was in line with what he said were earlier Iranian assaults on foreign embassies there and with Iranian policies of destabilising the region by creating “terrorist cells” in Saudi Arabia.
“The kingdom, in light of these realities, announces the cutting of diplomatic relations with Iran and requests the departure of delegates of diplomatic missions of the embassy and consulate and offices related to it within 48 hours. The ambassador has been summoned to notify them,” he said.