[Saudi Arabia is another face of Empire. This criminal act shows how Empire has no regard for international law. – NP]
by
(CNN)
Iran’s government accused Saudi Arabia of “intentionally” striking its embassy in Yemen, another incident likely to ratchet up tensions between Tehran and Riyadh and imperil efforts to forge peace in Syria and combat ISIS.
“Saudi Arabia is responsible for this action, as well as for compensating Iran for injuries to the embassy personnel and the damages to the embassy building,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari on Thursday, according to state-run IRIB News. “… Iran reserves the right to (legally) pursue this matter.”
According to Ansari, the Iranian Embassy in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, was damaged and several guards were injured in the late Wednesday airstrike.
CNN could not independently confirm whether the embassy was hit and, if so, how severely. The road to the embassy was closed down. Three witnesses in the area around it reported a small explosion Wednesday night but no obvious airstrikes.
And the Saudi-led coalition involved in the Yemeni war pushed back against the claim, with spokesman Col. Ahmed Asseri saying an investigation is needed.
“This is not credible because we have not seen any evidence,” Asseri said. “But we will investigate.”
Of course, it’s doubtful Iran will readily accept the results of a Saudi investigation. Not in light of the longstanding tensions between Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia and Shiite-led Iran, which have escalated in recent days, threatening an even bigger showdown that could roil not only the Middle East but the world.
