RUSSIA SAYS CAN MEDIATE SAUDI ARABIA, IRAN

Moscow,  25 Rabi’ul Awwal 1437/5 January 2016 (MINA) –  Moscow has offered to mediate in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Russian state news reported on Monday.

Iran and Saudi Arabia have clashed over the Saudi execution of a Shia cleric on Saturday,  Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

An official from the Russian Foreign Ministry told RIA Novosti: “We express sincere regret over the escalation of tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran … If necessary, Moscow is willing to play a mediator role between the countries.”

On Saturday, Saudi Arabia executed 47 prisoners, including prominent Shia cleric Nimr Baqir al-Nimr who had allegedly led mass protests against the Saudi authorities in the kingdom’s eastern Qatif province before his arrest in July 2012.

Following the incident, Iranian demonstrators stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran and the Saudi consulate in Mashhad.

Iran warned that Saudi Arabia would pay “a heavy price” for the executions while Saudi Arabia cut ties with Tehran, giving 48 hours to all Iranian diplomats to leave the country. (T/P010/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)