Tehran underlines the security of Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran

The Foreign Ministry spokesman has once again condemned the unfair execution by Saudi Arabia of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shiite cleric, and urged Iranians not to gather outside the Saudi diplomatic missions.

Hossein Jaberi Ansari said that the Foreign Ministry understands the genuine feelings of Muslim Iranians, but stressed the need for Tehran to ensure the security of the Saudi diplomatic missions in Tehran and Mashhad.

Entekhab.ir on Saturday released separate reports on the protest gatherings outside the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad as well as reactions by the Foreign Ministry and Tehran’s police chief to the gatherings.

The following is the translation of part of those reports:

The spokesman rejected the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr as unfair and said that Iranians are expected not to assemble outside the Saudi missions in the capital and the shrine city of Mashhad.

He also said that the Diplomatic Police [a subdivision of Law Enforcement of Islamic Republic of Iran] have the responsibility to counter any aggression against the Saudi diplomatic missions and do what it takes to ensure public order and the security of these missions.

Meanwhile, Tehran’s police chief said that his men have captured a number of self-willed individuals who attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran.

Brigadier General Hossein Sajedinia further said that a number of rogue individuals gathered outside the Saudi embassy in Tehran at 22:20 p.m. on Saturday and after a while they hurled stones and Molotov cocktails at the embassy building which sustained losses.

The general went on to say that his forces took on the crowd from the initial minutes of their [illegal] gathering with a number of policemen sustaining injuries.

Police made a few attests, he said, adding police also tried to force out a number of rogue individuals who had entered the embassy premises.

The situation is calm around the Saudi embassy, the police chief said, adding that police will be present in the area as long as it takes.

Sajedinia also asked citizens to pursue their protests through legal channels.