Iran-Saudi Arabia row: Kuwait recalls ambassador as dispute over execution of Shia cleric intensifies

Kuwait has recalled its ambassador to Iran, as the dispute over Saudi Arabia's execution of a dissident Shia cleric and the subsequent violent attack on its Iranian embassy widens political rifts across the Middle East.

Kuwait announced the decision on the state-run Kuwait News Agency on 5 January, citing "torching and sabotage activities" of Iranian demonstrators.

"Such action constitutes a flagrant breach of international conventions and violation of Iran's international commitment over security and safety of diplomatic missions on its lands," the Kuwaiti foreign ministry said.

It comes after Saudi Arabia and its allies Bahrain and Sudan severed diplomatic ties with Iran on 4 January.

The dispute has was sparked by Saudi Arabia's execution of Nimr al-Nimr and 47 others on 2 January, with protesters in Tehran attacking the Saudi embassy and torching it in response. There have also been mass protests in Shia majority Iraq against the execution.

The US, UN and Turkey have all urged calm.

Jaberi Ansari, a spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry, said that Iran is committed to protecting diplomatic missions in the country, and that no Saudi diplomats were injured in the attacks or present in the diplomatic compound.