US appeals to Iran, Saudi Arabia to show restraint

January 05, 2016 03:42

The US today asked Saudi Arabia and Iran to show restraint as the tensions between the two countries erupted into a full-blown diplomatic crisis over the execution of a Shiite cleric.

Secretary of State John Kerry telephoned the foreign ministers of the two countries in this regard while the White House in a public statement called both Iran and Saudi Arabia to take steps to de-escalate the situation.

"We do continue to be concerned about the need for both the Iranians and the Saudis to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters at his daily news conference. Earnest called on both countries to show restraint and avoid further inflaming sectarian tensions between Sunni-led Saudi Arabia and Shiite-ruled Iran.

"That we are urging all sides to show restraint and to not further inflame tensions that are on quite vivid display in the region. Kerry has been in touch with his Iranian counterpart. US diplomatic officials in Saudi Arabia have been in touch with their counterparts to convey this message," he said.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Leclerc ends Monaco jinx with dream home win

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc won the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday to become the first home winner

Cyclone Remal: Over 1 lakh evacuated; rail, air, road traffic hit

Bengal's coastal areas have been put on high alert as the cyclone, accompanied by high-velocity winds, has already triggered rain in several parts of the state.

IPL Final Photos: KKR bowlers rip through SRH line-up

Images from the IPL Final between Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

Injury blow for Windies: Holder out of T20 World Cup

Injured Jason Holder replaced by Obed McCoy in West Indies squad for T20 World Cup

NDA will scrap 'undemocratic' collegium system: BJP ally

The collegium system has shut the doors of judgeship in the higher judiciary on Dalits, OBCs and even the poor among the upper castes