The region’s security is a line that can’t be crossed

The escalation that we are witnessing by Iran against Saudi Arabia, and the attack on Saudi diplomatic corps, is a very dangerous and unjustifiable one, the UAE’s Al Bayan wrote this week.

“This is an escalation that is targeting the region and its security, something that the UAE and other countries in the region fully reject. The escalation also falls under a long sequence of clashes with Iran, which is not exerting any effort to improve relations with its neighbours. This results in heavy costs for Iran and reflects back on the region’s security, which is a matter that cannot be ignored. The region’s security, and particularly the security of the Gulf, is a red line that cannot be crossed in any shape or form, and that explains the diplomatic procedures being taken by many countries as they express their objection to Iranian interferences.”

The Saudi Embassy and Consulate in Iran were attacked and looted by thieves, not protestors, said Saudi Arabia’s Al Yaum. “This is not the first time that a Saudi embassy was attacked. In 1989, the embassy in Iran was burned and Saudi diplomat Musa’ed Al Gamdi was killed. The recent incident occurred due to incitement by Iranian officials following the implementation of rulings issued against terrorists. The tragic irony is that Iran ranks second on the global execution charts. The country executed more than 1,000 people in 2015. The Saudi judicial system is fair and is based on tolerant Islamic Sharia that does not discriminate against anyone. Saudi Arabia does not need any lessons in humanity from Iran, which has not spared any effort when it comes to destabilising Saudi Arabia’s security.”

The attacks against the Saudi Embassy and Consulate are flagrant violations of their inviolability, and as per international treaties, Tehran is obligated to protect diplomatic corps and diplomats, said Qatar’s Al Sharq. “Riyadh’s decision to sever diplomatic ties with Tehran, a decision also taken by Manama, Khartoum and Abu Dhabi, comes in response to Iran’s policies that do not take into consideration the sovereignty of countries, principles of good neighbourliness and inviolability of diplomatic missions. As such, Arab Foreign Ministers are scheduled to hold a meeting on Sunday to condemn Iranian interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries. Relations between countries must be based on mutual respect. The people of the Arab world are placing their trust that the Arab League would play a decisive role and take a unified stand to put a stop to any attempts against the sovereignty of member countries.”

One hopes that the crisis between the two countries will be soon contained; the region cannot afford yet another raging fire on its already scorched fields, said the Jordan Times. “The future and stability of the Middle East depend in large measure on the working relations between these two powers. Iran, which has been exerting growing influence across the region after gaining a strong foothold in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon, must decide whether it wants to play a constructive role by helping end the wars in Yemen and Syria, or chooses the route of confrontation with Sunni Arab states. Incidentally, the hostile Iranian reaction to the mass executions in Saudi Arabia was not to the act per se, but rather to the death of a senior Shiite cleric. Iran itself has a long record of executions, which are contrary to international norms. As such, its protestations sound less convincing than it would want them to be.”