REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TEHRAN - The UAE has decided to downgrade the level of its diplomatic representation in Iran to that of a charge d' affaires and to require a reduction in the number of Iranian diplomats stationed in the UAE. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement said that Saif Al Zaabi, the UAE Ambassador in Tehran, has been summoned home, in accordance with this decision.

"This exceptional step has been taken in the light of Iran's continuous interference in the internal affairs of Gulf and Arab states, which has reached unprecedented levels," the statement said.

The ministry statement emphasised that positive and natural relations between states should be based on mutual respect for the sovereignty of states and the adoption of a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of others.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Bahrain has decided to cut diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and has called upon all members of its mission to leave the Kingdom within 48 hours.

"The Kingdom has also decided to close its diplomatic mission to the Islamic Republic of Iran and the withdraw all members of the mission," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, acrried by Bahrain News Agency.

The Kingdom would take the relevant actions for the implementation of the decision to cut ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

"Based on the Cabinet's decision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Mortadha Sanubari, Acting Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and handed over an official memorandum in this regard," the ministry said.

Sudan has also decided to expel the Iranian ambassador from Khartoum and the entire mission, and summoned the Sudanese ambassador from Iran.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia, received today a telephone call from Minister of State at Sudanese Republic Presidency and Director General of President's Offices at the Republic Presidency and Cabinet, Lieutenant General Taha Othman Al-Hussein.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, during the conversation, Lieutenant General Al-Hussein said that the Republic of Sudan decided to expel the Iranian ambassador from Sudan and the entire mission, and summon the Sudanese ambassador from Iran, stressing Sudan's condemnation of the Iranian interference in the region through a sectarian approach, and the negligence of the Iranian authorities to prevent attacks on the Saudi embassy and consulate in Iran.

He expressed the Republic of Sudan's standing and solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in confronting terrorism and the implementation of deterrent measures against it.

Previously, Saudi Arabia broke off diplomatic ties with Iran on Sunday (3/1) after protesters ransacked its embassy in Tehran to protest the execution of a Shia cleric whose killing has sparked fury.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir made the announcement at a news conference in Riyadh, and said Iranian diplomats had 48 hours to leave the kingdom.

The diplomatic fallout come as Iran's supreme leader said Saudi Arabia would face quick consequences for executing Shaikh Nimr Al Nimr, and as Washington urged regional leaders to soothe escalating sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

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