UAE downgrades diplomatic status of Iranian diplomats

The UAE on Monday downgraded Iran’s diplomatic representation and cut the number of envoys allowed on its soil, soon after two Gulf allies cut ties with the Islamic republic.

The UAE’s foreign ministry said the decision was taken on the backdrop of Iran’s “continuous interference” in the Gulf and Arab affairs, and added that Tehran’s meddling had reached an “unprecedented” level.

The statement, carried by state-run news agency WAM, said that UAE’s ambassador to Tehran Saif al-Zi’abi had been recalled following the decision.

UAE’s move comes the same day Bahrain formally severed ties with Iran and Sudan expelled Iran’s ambassador to Khartoum.

A day earlier, Saudi Arabia announced that it would ties with Iran after two of its diplomatic posts were attacked in the capital Tehran and the northeastern city of Mashhad.

His remarks came after Tehran lashed out at Riyadh for the executions of 47 people, include Shiite preacher Nimr al-Nimr and al-Qaeda ideologue Fares al-Shuwail .

A day earlier, Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran on Sunday, a day after Iranian demonstrators stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran in protest at Riyadh’s execution of a Shiite cleric.