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January 11, 2016

In NYT Op-Ed, Iranian Minister Says Saudis Fomenting Tension, Extremism
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Iran's foreign minister has published an op-ed in The New York Times
accusing Saudi Arabia of attempting to derail Iran's nuclear deal with
world powers, promoting extremism and perpetuating tension in the Middle
East. The move comes after Saudi Arabia beheaded a Shiite cleric as part
of the mass execution of 47 people. In response, Iranian protesters
torched part of the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, an act Iranian officials
have condemned. After the burning, Saudi Arabia and its allies broke
ties with Iran. In his op-ed, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad
Zarif writes: "The Saudi leadership must now make a choice: They can
continue supporting extremists and promoting sectarian hatred; or they
can opt to play a constructive role in promoting regional stability."


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