DUBAI – Saudi Arabia executed six Iranian nationals for drug smuggling, as reported by the state news agency SPA on Wednesday. This action has led Tehran to summon the Saudi ambassador in protest.
The Saudi interior ministry stated that the six individuals were arrested and charged with smuggling hashish into the kingdom. The executions were carried out, although the exact date was not specified.
In response, Iranian media reported that Tehran summoned Saudi Arabia’s envoy to “strongly protest” the executions. A note of strong protest was conveyed, emphasizing the need for an adequate explanation and highlighting the incompatibility of this action with the overall judicial cooperation between the two countries.
This incident comes after a 2023 deal brokered by China, which re-established relations between Tehran and Riyadh after years of hostility that had threatened regional stability and security.