Saudi-Iran diplomatic fallout: Tensions soar high

The worsening of Saudi-Iran relations in the already conflict-ridden West Asia is more likely to exacerbate after Saudi Arabia executed 47 persons including a Shia cleric convicted of terrorism charges followed by the cutting of diplomatic ties with Iran after it hit back.

Early January, a prominent Shiiate cleric Sheikh Nimr al Nimr from the Eastern province of Saudi was convicted of terrorism charges along with 47 others, tried and decapitated inviting sharp reactions from the religious leadership and the Republican Guard in Iran. Iran Foreign Secretary and Parliament Speaker also condemned the death sentence. The public outrage resulted in the storming of the Saudi Embassy in Tehran by the protestors and destroying of the Consulate. The outburst naturally annoyed Saudi Arabia leading to the severing off ties with Iran. Bahrain as well as Sudan has ended their diplomatic ties with Iran. Other GCC countries have also expressed solidarity with Saudi announcing steps against Iran. According to the latest reports, Saudi Arabia has cut off all commercial ties with Iran including stopping flight services to and from the country. However no ban has been imposed on the Iranian pilgrims to enter Saudi. The latest predicament comes amidst the misery inflicted on the people by the military offensives launched by the US, Britain, France and Russia under the guise of putting an end to the internal conflicts in Iraq, Syria and Yemen as well as the brutal attacks committed by the Islamic State in the region. It’s during a time when the UN, the OIC and the Arab League miserably fail in bringing about an effective solution to the existing scenario where hundreds of thousands are slaughtered and millions of refugees flee for their lives, that the latest events aggravate the situation. Even though religious and political conflicts may seem as the causes for this non-peace state, it could be found if carefully observed that the intricate scenario formed as a combined result of imperialistic interventions, Zionist tactics, racial divides and power-related vested interests are what have turned West Asia volatile.

The West Asian governments are mere puppets in the agenda jointly implemented by the obstinacy of the colonial powers to control West Asia rich with its oil, precious minerals and wealth, the eagerness to ensure the safety of Israel, their prodigal son and beyond that the urge to implement cultural invasion. Those with conscience could only pine over the haplessness of the communities destined to spend their lives as puppets under the demonical forces losing all powers including the one to differentiate between friend and foe. The crisis would not end until the reality that the Sunni, Shia, Kurd and Persian sects in the Muslim community couldn’t be eliminated in any way, is comprehended and accepted. And that the only solution for safety, peace, progress and development are peaceful coexistence, amity and cooperation. The US and the United Nations have asked Iran and Saudi Arabia to put an end to the uncertainty and current predicament and to initiate direct discussions. The other nations apparently have the same stance as well. However skepticisms arise over the sincerity of this request. Saudi is seemingly anxious over the warming ties between the US and Iran. After the partially eased sanctions, Iran is busy safeguarding the racial and sectarian interests in Syria-Iraq region and Yemen. Iran has been using every opportunity including the Mina tragedy to carry out propaganda against Saudi Arabia. The well wishers of the West Asian countries just have to remind them that the only way out of the crisis would be by considering peaceful and appeasing solutions.