A Middle East expert has warned that the conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia may lead to a larger holy war in the Middle East, escalating to World War 3. Russian Middle East expert Vladimir Ahmedov says that following the Saudi execution of Iran’s prominent Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr, and with Iran’s Supreme Leader promising “divine vengeance” against the Saudi regime, a war between the Sunnis and Shiites could happen.
Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards have warned Saudi Arabia that they will suffer a “harsh revenge” following the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. Iran have warned that “the unjustly spilled blood of this oppressed martyr will no doubt soon show its effect and divine vengeance will befall Saudi politicians.” Express.co.uk reports: The move appeared to end any hopes that the common enemy of ISIS could lead to rapprochement between the two countries.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has posted controversial images on his website which liken the executions in Saudi Arabia with the practises of ISIS. The provocative images depicts an ISIS fighter holding a knife above a hostage, alongside an image of a Saudi executioner brandishing a sword with a prisoner kneeling before him. The text reads “any differences?” above the two images. Independent.co.uk reports: The image comes as the Iranian supreme leader renewed his attack on Saudi Arabia over its execution of leading Shia cleric, Sheikh Nimr-al Nimr.
Earlier today, as Iranian police struggled to disperse protesters gathered outside the Saudi consulate in Mashhad, we said the following about the rapidly deteriorating situation:
A top Iranian official has threatened the U.S. with the development of ballistic missiles with a range of 5,000 kilometers after new sanctions were imposed on Iran. Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said that if America presses ahead with its sanctions against Iran the country will take it “as a slap to our country”. Rt.com reports: “The US will regret its behavior and realize that such actions cause no benefit,” Rezaei stressed. Rezaei also thanked Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani for his quick response to US threats.