Saudi Arabia and Bahrain suddenly broke diplomatic ties with Iran. The decision was finally decided by the authorities of both nations after emotional supporters of the slain Shiite critic of Saudi Arabia has been executed by Saudi Authorities. Both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will escalate tension with Iran in the Middle Eastern region that can possibly spark an outrage to surrounding countries. It is a silent tension that is escalating in the Middle East without being noticed by other international organizations.

Saudi has been a strong ally with the western societies such as the United States and most European countries. On the other hand, Iran is an avid supporter for the second world countries such as Russia, China, Cuba, and North Korea. Both Saudi Arabia and Iran have different perspectives with their political as well as with their economic relationships. This is brought about by the differences associated with their ideological principles, which separates these two nations to engage with the opposing political views. For this reason, the rivalry between these two nations will likely to go on for several years due to their consistent political and religious ideologies.
Geographic location of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Bahrain
After announcing that Nimr Baqr al-Nimr was among 47 executed individuals in Saudi Arabia, it sparked an enormous outrage in Iran. Shiite supporters immediately protested the execution to the Saudi Embassy in Tehran. As driven by their raging emotional reaction, protesters were not contented to just protest wherein they started ransacking the whole embassy of Saudi Arabia. This is due to Al-Nimr's Shiite support base that continues to follow his advocacies and interests. Saudi is known for its harsh way of capitalizing an extreme punishment that attracts human rights activists. Capital punishment is a government sanctioned way of penalizing any individuals or groups who are involved in first degree-based offenses such as terrorism, murder, rape, drug users or dealers, and espionage.

Bahrain is the second country to announce that it will also cut diplomatic ties with Iran. Authorities from Bahrain is calling all Bahrain nationals to leave Iran in less than 48 hours from the time of its announcement to the public media. Surrounding countries are now feeling the pressure whether or not they will follow Bahrain or Saudi Arabia's measures against its relationship with Iran. This means that Iran will be having more headaches because there are two nations who are now creating a political rift with their political affairs.

About Nimr Baqr al-Nimr

Nimr Baqr al-Nimr is a prominent Shiite cleric who was a Sheikh in al-Awamiyah, Eastern Province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He was known to be a critical Shiite activist of the kingdom. As a Shiite cleric, he cries foul against the treatment of the Saudi government towards Shias such as not providing equal rights. He was then arrested on July 8, 2012 while allegedly being involved in a gunfire against the authorities before the arrest. Al-Nimr was then sentenced to capital punishment by Specialized Criminal Court in Saudi Arabia. He was then executed on January 2, 2016, and then buried his body to an undisclosed location.

Al-Nimr, a prominent Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia


For the Shiite community, al-Nimr was considered as a hero for being a critical personality against the Sunnis. Shiite communities around the world are now mourning his death following his execution by the Saudi authorities. As supporters in Iran is currently protesting along the streets of Tehran and other cities in the country, there are other smaller Shiite communities all over the world who are also organizing a protest to honor the death of al-Nimr.

Saudi Arabia announced that they decided to implement their position by cutting diplomatic ties with Iran due to security reasons. However, Iranians that are currently in Saudi Arabia are ensured of their security as there is a vengeance among Saudi nationals towards Iranians are now taking place across the Middle East.

Bahrain, Iran, and Saudi Arabia are grouped in the Middle East, which is a region in the world that is located on the southwestern portion of Asia. The region also shares borders with Africa and Europe, making the region  considered transcontinental.

Islam is a monotheistic religion that is dominated in the Middle East where it is currently centered in Mecca, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Mecca is the birthplace of Islam where Allah is the most important God being preached by Muslim followers. There are two branches of Islam, which are Sunni and Shiite Islams.

Iran is dominated by Shiite Muslims, along with Iraq. Saudi has a significant number of Shias that is located on the Eastern Province of the country.

The situation in the Middle East that has been bombarded by political differences will likely to go on for decades. Or perhaps, the issue could escalate into a century old conflict. Hopefuly, there would ne no escalation of a new outbreak of military uprising between these nations in the Middle East




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