Iran summoned Saudi Arabia’s ambassador in Tehran to formally protest the execution of six Iranian nationals accused of drug smuggling, Iranian media reported on Wednesday.
“A note of strong protest from Iran, highlighting the incompatibility of this action with the overall judicial cooperation between the two countries, was conveyed to him. The necessity of providing an adequate explanation on this matter was emphasized,” Iranian media reported.
The executions, carried out in Saudi Arabia, involved six Iranians who were convicted of smuggling hashish into the kingdom, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the charges but did not specify when the executions took place.
The incident threatens to strain relations between Tehran and Riyadh, which were restored in 2023 under a China-brokered agreement following years of hostility. The deal had marked a significant step toward easing tensions in the Gulf region and reducing proxy conflicts in countries like Yemen and Syria.
