As Tehran arrests 100 over Saudi Embassy attack, Rouhani begins Italy visit
Saudi execution of 47 people, including Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr, had sparked the embassy attack. Some of those arrested were later released. Khamenei also called for punishing those responsible. Today Iranian President Rouhani begins a visit to Italy. Tomorrow, he will meet with Pope Francis.
Tehran (AsiaNews) – Iran has arrested around 100 people in connection with the attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran and the Saudi consulate in Mashhad, which had been triggered by Saudi Arabia’s execution of 47 “terrorists,” including Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Sudan reacted to the attack by withdrawing their ambassadors to Iran, sparking a political (and religious) crisis between Sunnis and Shias.
"Since the attack, about 100 people have been arrested, of whom some have been released," Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie was quoted as saying by Iran’s official IRNA news agency.
The ransacking of the embassy earlier this month "has been condemned by all authorities,” including Supreme leader Ali Khamenei, “and we have taken immediate and serious action," said Ejeie, who added that one individual was arrested "abroad" and returned to Iran.
President Hassan Rouhani condemned the attacks as "totally unjustifiable" and called for a swift trial of those involved.
Meanwhile, Rouhani – accompanied by a delegation of 120 business leaders and 6 ministers – started a three-day official visit to Italy today during which he will meet with the host country’s main political and business leaders.
Italy and Iran are expected to sign a number of agreements that were postponed following the Paris attacks last November when Rouhani’s visit was initially set to take place. Now, with the end of sanctions, the deals can go ahead.
The Iranian president will also meet Pope Francis in the Vatican tomorrow. In recent months, the pontiff has been closely following events in Iran, and referred to the Iranian nuclear deal in his address to the diplomatic corps on 11 January, when he said, “2015 witnessed the conclusion of important international agreements, which give solid hope for the future”.
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