Saudi-Iranian Conflict Threatens to Explode Into Region-Wide Sectarian War

• Saudi-Iranian Conflict Threatens to Explode Into Region-Wide Sectarian War 
  by http://sputniknews.com/  
  The conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia over Riyadh’s execution of a prominent Shia cleric is escalating, threatening to turn the region’s ongoing conflicts into wars of religion, warns Russian Middle East expert Vladimir Ahmedov.
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  On Sunday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that “divine vengeance will befall Saudi politicians” for “the unjustly spilled blood” of prominent Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr, executed by the Saudis on Saturday.
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  Considered a terrorist by Saudi authorities for his criticism of the government, calls for free elections and demands that authorities respect Saudi Shias’ rights, al-Nimr’s execution sparked outrage and an escalation of diplomatic tensions across the Middle East, but only a cautious criticism from Riyadh’s allies in Washington and Brussels. 
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  The cleric was killed along with 46 others in the country’s largest mass execution in decades, sparking anger and violent protests in Shia areas of Saudi Arabia, as well as Bahrain, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Pakistan, and Iran, where protesters stormed the Saudi Embassy in the Iranian capital and attempted to set the building on fire.
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  Trying to prevent the explosive situation from escalating out of control, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani vowed to bring to justice those responsible for Saturday’s attack. “The Iranian people should not allow [al-Nimr’s death] to become an excuse for rogue individuals and groups to commit illegal acts and damage Iran’s image,” Rouhani said.
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  Speaking to his EU counterpart on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that Iranian authorities had taken steps “to defuse the tensions and protect the Saudi diplomats.” 
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  Nevertheless, Saturday’s execution has only resulted in the further deterioration of relations which were already less than cordial. In several of the region’s ongoing conflicts, Tehran and Riyadh are on opposite sides of the barricades. 
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