President Urges Firm Action Over Saudi Embassy Raids

Addressing a ceremony that marked the beginning of the Judiciary Week in Iran on Tuesday, June 28, Rouhani emphasized the importance of public trust in the judicial institution.

“The reason why everyone can go to sleep calmly at nights in Iran is the presence of a capable judiciary,” the President said at the ceremony, which was attended by the heads of the other two branches of the Iranian government as well.

Referring to the raids on the Saudi diplomatic premises, Rouhani said, “The public wants to see how the Judiciary deals with the perpetrators of and those behind the move — who are well-known — and how the public is notified of [potential] verdicts.”

The raids occurred on January 2, when demonstrations were held in front of the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad — both of which were vacant at the time — over Saudi Arabia’s move earlier to execute a prominent Saudi cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

Some angry protesters climbed over the walls of the consulate in Mashhad, while incendiary devices were hurled at the embassy in Tehran. A day later, Saudi Arabia cut its diplomatic ties with Iran. Iranian officials promptly condemned the attacks, and some 100 people were arrested over the acts of transgression.

In his remarks on Tuesday, the Iranian President said every country is responsible for the provision of security for foreign diplomatic missions stationed on their territory.

He also emphasized the significance of the due application of justice, which he implied ensures psychological security for those seeking to invest in the country.

“If foreign investment is made in the country, it is because of trust in a healthy and fair judiciary in it,” he said.