Mideast tensions soar as Saudi Arabia rallies countries to cut ties with Iran

BEIRUT — The Middle East slid dangerously closer to regional conflict Monday after Saudi Arabia rallied its Sunni allies to sever diplomatic ties with Iran, prompting alarmed appeals for restraint from powers across the globe.

Bahrain and Sudan joined Saudi Arabia in cutting off relations with Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, a key Iranian trading partner, recalled its ambassador from Tehran, as the fallout from the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia on Saturday heightened sectarian tensions across the Middle East.

Iran Sees ‘Divine Vengeance’ After Saudis Execute Shi’ite Cleric

DUBAI/RIYADH:  Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi Embassy in Tehran early on Sunday and Shi’ite Muslim Iran’s top leader predicted “divine vengeance” for Saudi Arabia’s execution of a prominent Shi’ite cleric.

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Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani condemned the execution as “inhuman”, but also called for prosecuting “extremist individuals” for attacking the embassy and the Saudi consulate in the northeastern city of Mashhad, state media reported.