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 representation in Tehran and will cut the number of Iranian diplomats in the country.
Saudi Arabia yesterday severed ties and gave Iran’s diplomats two days to go. Saudi Arabia and Iran are the key Sunni and Shia powers in the region and back opposing sides in Syria and Yemen.
Bahrain, which is ruled by a Sunni Muslim king but has a majority Shia population, today 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.