TEHRAN: The Iranian Foreign Ministry has summoned the Saudi Ambassador to Tehran following reports that Saudi authorities executed six Iranian nationals who were imprisoned on charges of drug trafficking. This diplomatic action underscores the tension between the two nations over judicial processes and international law compliance.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Karimi Shasati, the Director General of the Consular Affairs Office at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, voiced a strong protest on Wednesday regarding the execution of the six Iranian nationals. These individuals had been sentenced to death by the Saudi judiciary several years ago. Throughout their imprisonment, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had consistently worked to provide them with consular services and sought to have their sentences reduced. Shasati criticized the lack of prior notification to the Iranian embassy before carrying out the executions, citing this as a violation of international law, specifically the Convention on Consular Relations.

Shasati further explained that the Saudi ambassador was summoned to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was presented with a formal note outlining Iran's strong protest against the executions. The note claimed that the executions were inconsistent with the broader context of judicial cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia and emphasized the need for Saudi Arabia to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the matter.

To address the issue further, a legal-consular delegation from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is scheduled to travel to Riyadh, the Saudi capital, to engage in discussions and follow up on the situation.