Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 8
By Khalid Kazimov - Trend:
Prayers in Iran launched rallies against the execution of a prominent Shia cleric, Nimr al-Nimr by Saudi Arabia, after Friday Congregational Prayer.
The rallies were launched in all Iranian cities on Jan. 8, the Fars news agency reported.
Reportedly, Iran's Islamic Propagation Coordination Council called on the prayers to rally across the country chanting "death to the House of Saud."
Over the past few days, the relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia deteriorated following the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shia cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, on Jan. 2.
Reacting to al-Nimr's execution, a group of Iranian hardliners stormed Saudi embassy in Tehran, smashing furniture and setting fire to the building before being dispersed by police.
Officially, Iran expressed strong protest regarding the execution, and the fragile relations between the two countries started going even further downhill from there.
Iranian Foreign Ministry's Spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari said Jan. 7 the country's embassy in Sana'a was hit in an air strike by Saudi Arabia. However, the Saudi-led coalition, as well as Yemen's Foreign Ministry denied Iran's accusations.
Earlier in March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes against Shia backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.