Saudi Embassy in Tehran subjected to attacks

By Turki Al-Saheil
Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat- The Saudi Foreign Ministry announced that it had filed an official
complaint to the government of Tehran, in response to attacks witnessed by their diplomatic mission operating in Iranian territory.
Asharq al-Awsat learned that two separate attacks were recorded over a 48 hour period, against the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, and its consulate in the city of Mashhad.
A source told Asharq al-Awsat that the Saudi Foreign Ministry on Saturday summoned the Iranian Ambassador, in order to deliver a formal complaint to him, regarding the attacks against the headquarters of the Saudi diplomatic mission in his country.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry, in a statement, expressed Riyadh’s severe condemnation for the attacks against its diplomatic mission operating in Iran.
On Saturday, the Saudi consulate operating in the Iranian city of Mashhad was subjected to an attack by Iranian groups, in a dangerous escalation that threatens the security and safety of Saudi diplomats working in Iran.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry statement holds the Iranian government fully responsible for the protection of the Saudi diplomatic mission, and all its employees on Iranian territory, under international laws and conventions.
The source pointed out that the Saudi Foreign Ministry has formally complained to the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, noting that the Kingdom will consider what steps to take in light of the Iranian response.
The official source at the Saudi Foreign Ministry refused to comment on what future steps could be taken by Riyadh, with regards to its relationship with Tehran, declining to talk about it until Tehran has responded to the attacks on the Saudi diplomatic mission on its territory.
Asharq al-Awsat learned from its sources that the Saudi Embassy in Tehran came under attack from demonstrators last Thursday, with stones being thrown at the embassy building. The sources indicated that the demonstrators held up banners bearing anti-monarchy slogans.
The attacks on the Saudi Embassy in Tehran did not lead to any injuries, as Thursday is considered the beginning of the weekend in Iran, [thus no employees were present].
The Saudi Embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad will close their doors this week, in order to mark the Iranian Nowruz Gala, and will resume work next Saturday.