Saudi Arabia Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Iran After Riyadh’s Execution Of Shiite Cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr

Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran on Sunday following the execution of Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and 46 other people. Reports revealed that the announcement was made by Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, in a news conference.

The foreign ministry also asked the Iranian diplomatic mission to evacuate the kingdom within 48 hours, as noted by Al Jazeera Monday.

Jubeir said Riyadh "is breaking off diplomatic ties with Iran and requests that all members of the Iranian diplomatic mission leave ... within 48 hours."

"Iran's history is full of negative interference and hostility in Arab issues, and it is always accompanied by destruction."

He went on, "These ongoing aggressions against diplomatic missions are a violation of all agreements and international conventions."

On the same day of Nimr's execution, protesters reportedly attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran to dissent the death sentence.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has ordered authorities to arrest and prosecute those who were involved in the embassy attack in Tehran. In addition, the president also slammed the execution of Nimr.

On the other hand, Jubeir said "[they] will cross each bridge when [they] will get to it," when asked about the measures they will be taking against Iran.

"We are determined not to allow Iran to undermine our security," he said.

Meanwhile, Russia and China expressed their concern of the situation between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

"Moscow is concerned about escalation of the situation in the Middle East with participation of the key regional players," Foreign Ministry of Russia said, as reported by CNN Monday.

It called on both parties to "show restraint and to avoid any steps that might escalate the situation and raise tensions including interreligious ones."

In addition to this, China's foreign ministry is hoping that Saudis and Iranians could keep their calm amid the issue. It encourages both sides to "remain calm and restrained, use dialogue and negotiations to properly resolve differences, and work together to safeguard the region's peace and stability."