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.
Bahrain and Sudan have both severed relations with Iran, and the UAE has downgraded its diplomatic team.
Saudi Arabia on Sunday severed ties and gave Iran's diplomats two days to go.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said trade links with Iran would be cut and air traffic links stopped.
But in an interview with Reuters news agency, Mr al-Jubeir also said Iranian pilgrims travelling to holy sites in Mecca and Medina would still be allowed to enter.
Saudi Arabia and Iran are respectively the key Sunni and Shia powers in the region and back opposing sides in Syria and Yemen.
Iran and Saudi Arabia - key figures
Population: Iran 81.8m; Saudi Arabia 27.7m
GDP: Iran $416.5bn; Saudi Arabia $746.2bn
Export trade/year: Iran - Saudi Arabia $111m; Saudi Arabia - Iran $79.4m
Active army size: Iran 545,000; Saudi Arabia 233,500
Defence spending: Iran $6.3bn; Saudi Arabia $56bn
Bahrain, which is ruled by a Sunni monarchy but has a majority Shia population, on Monday gave Iranian diplomats 48 hours to leave the country.
It accused Iran of "increasing, flagrant and dangerous meddling" in the internal affairs of Gulf and Arab states.
It said the attack on the Saudi embassy was part of a "very dangerous pattern of sectarian policies that should be confronted... to preserve security and stability in the entire region".
Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy's 5th Fleet, has frequently accused Iran of fomenting unrest in the country since 2011 - a charge Tehran denies.
After demonstrations over the weekend, further protests were held by the Shia Muslim community in Bahrain on Monday.
A Sudan foreign ministry statement read: "In response to the barbaric attacks on the Saudi Arabian embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad... Sudan announces the immediate severing of ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran."
Drop your comments: Post your comments below, and chose your sign in format like google account with gmail. Alternatively if you dont want to sign in, you can choose the name/url or open ID option amid other formats of contribution. Comments reward for signed in contributors would be coming soon this 2016. The race starts now.
Follow Joshua Osagie on facebook Global audience / facebook Nigerian audience / facebook personal account / facebook (fan page)/ and twitter
 |
| ADVERTISE WITH THE FOREFRONT: +234-803-698-6103. For more details CLICK HERE NOW |
Excellent online shopping of numerous items (electricals, electronics, computers, tablets, phones, wears, etc) with Konga Nigeria. Ease yourself the stress of conveyance get your item(s) delivered to you at your doorstep. Shop with them; check them out here>>> KONGA
No comments:
Post a Comment
Disclaimer!!! Opinions expressed in comments do not represent THE FOREFRONT MEDIA NG's views. All participants are entitled to their opinions. Thank you!!!
Advertise on the Forefront: For advert placement in the blog or advert posts like news updates, reach +2348124620827 [WhatsApp].
Copyright 2023 The Forefront Media Ng. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from The Forefront Media Ng