Tehran, January 6, The Iran Project – Iranian senior clerics have slammed Saudi Arabia for the execution of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, saying that they broke off diplomatic ties with Iran in an attempt to distract the world from their criminal acts.

Referring to Saudi’s cutting diplomatic ties with Iran as a way of distracting the world from the execution of Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqr al-Nimr, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi expressed satisfaction with Saudi’s decision to break off relations with Iran and said that Iran’s relation with Saudi Arabia was a defect that was removed.

He also criticized those who attacked Saudi’s embassy in Tehran over "Nimr al-Nimr" execution.

Grand Ayatollah Nouri-Hamedani also condemned Saudi Arabia’s recent mass execution of 47 including the respected Shia Muslim cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, saying that Saudi Arabia has built its government based on such criminal acts.

Taking such criminal actions, Saudis are seeking US and Israel’s support, he added.

Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran on Sunday following demonstrations held in front of the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in the northeastern city of Mashhad by angry protesters censuring the Al Saud family for the killing of the top Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr.