Oman Regrets 'Unacceptable' Anti-Saudi Attacks in Iran

Oman on Wednesday said it regretted the "unacceptable" attacks on Saudi missions in Iran but did not announce any measures against the Islamic republic, after some Gulf nations downgraded diplomatic ties.

The Omani reaction comes four days after protesters torched Riyadh's embassy and its consulate in Iran over Saudi Arabia's execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shiite cleric accused of fomenting sedition in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.

The sultanate "expressed its deep regret" over the attacks, which it described as "unacceptable" in a foreign ministry statement published by the official ONA news agency.

Oman stressed the "need to find new rules that prohibit any form of interference in the internal affairs of other countries."

The sultanate is known for its historically strong ties with Iran but is also a member of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), led by regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia.

Media reports in Tehran said Oman's foreign minister was expected in the Iranian capital on Wednesday.

The assaults on its missions prompted Riyadh on Sunday to break off diplomatic ties with Iran and order its diplomats to leave the kingdom. Saudi allies Bahrain and Sudan have followed suit and the United Arab Emirates downgraded its ties with Tehran.

Kuwait on Tuesday recalled its ambassador from Iran to protest attacks while also summoning Tehran's ambassador to express its disapproval of them.

Qatar, another GCC member, also "strongly condemned" the attacks, but like Oman it did not take any measures.