Iran says mission in Yemen hit by Saudis

Iran on Thursday accused Saudi warplanes of deliberately bombing its embassy in Yemen, in a new escalation of diplomatic tensions that have reverberated across West Asia.

Shia-dominated Iran also announced a ban on imports of all products from its Sunni-ruled rival, following a dramatic chill in relations that has triggered international alarm.

It comes days after Saudi Arabia broke off diplomatic ties with Iran in response to an arson attack on its own embassy in Tehran by protesters infuriated by Riyadh’s execution of a prominent Shia cleric.

Tehran said an unspecified number of embassy staff had been wounded in the raid on the rebel-held Yemeni capital Sanaa, which has been targeted by months of airstrikes by a Saudi-led Arab coalition.

“This deliberate action by Saudi Arabia is a violation of all international conventions that protect diplomatic missions,” Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Hossein Jaber Ansari said, quoted by state television.

“The Saudi government is responsible for the damage caused and for the situation of members of staff who were injured,” Mr Ansari added, without specifying when the alleged strike took place or the seriousness of the injuries.

“The Islamic republic reserves the right to pursue its interests in this matter,” he said.

Iran also announced that a ban on Iranians travelling to the Saudi holy city of Mecca for the year-round minor pilgrimage, known as the umrah, would remain in place indefinitely.

Longstanding frictions between West Asia’s foremost Sunni and Shia Muslim powers exploded into a full-blown diplomatic crisis at the weekend when Riyadh executed Shia cleric and activist Nimr al-Nimr along with 46 others.

Nimr’s death unleashed a wave of anger across the Shia world, including in Iran where protesters stormed and set fire to the Saudi embassy in Tehran and consulate in the second city of Mashhad.

Iran denounced the attacks on the Saudi missions, but the repercussions quickly rippled across the region with Saudi allies Bahrain, Sudan and Djibouti also cutting diplomatic ties with Tehran.

Somalia followed suit on Thursday, saying it had given Iranian diplomats 72 hours to leave the Horn of Africa nation.

“This step has been taken after careful consideration and in response to the Republic of Iran’s continuous interference in Somalia’s internal affairs,” the statement said, without giving further details.

Among other Saudi allies, the United Arab Emirates has downgraded relations with Iran while Kuwait and Qatar have recalled their ambassadors.

Iran’s embargo on imports from Saudi Arabia will reportedly affect goods worth about $40 million, mainly fabrics and packaging products.

The Yemen conflict, which pits the pro-Iranian Huthi Shia rebels against pro-government forces backed by Riyadh and other Gulf Arab states, is one of the main sources of dispute between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

They also support opposing sides in Syria, where Tehran has provided military assistance to President Assad against rebel groups, some backed by Riyadh. The tensions have heaped doubt on a plan that foresees talks between the Syrian sides in January.