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Execution row: Bahrain joins Saudi Arabia in severing ties with Iran

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have severed diplomatic ties with Iran over the storming of the Saudi embassy in Tehran following the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shia cleric.

Sudan has expelled Iran's ambassador and the United Arab Emirates is cutting the number of Iranian diplomats it allows to be in the country,

Iran's Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned Saudi Arabia that it will face "divine retribution" after officials executed Nimr al-Nimr.

Saudi executed al-Nimr alongside 46 others in relation to alleged 'terrorism' offences.

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UN: Breaking of diplomatic ties between Iran-Saudi Arabia deeply worrying

Saudi Arabia's decision to break off diplomatic relations with Iran was "deeply worrying", the United Nations Secretary General has said.

A spokesman for Ban Ki-Moon said that the UN chief had spoken with Saudi's foreign minister via phone.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters:

"The Secretary-General reiterated that the attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran was deplorable, but added that the announcement of a break in Saudi diplomatic relations with Tehran was deeply worrying."

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