Witness sees no damage at Iran Embassy in Yemen

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – The latest developments after Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Tehran amid a dispute over Riyadh’s execution of an opposition Shiite cleric and attacks on Saudi diplomatic posts in Iran. (All times local).
4 p.m.
An Associated Press reporter in Yemen’s capital says he sees no damage at the Iranian Embassy after the Islamic Republic said it was hit in an overnight Saudi-led strike.
The neighborhood in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, has been struck before as it is home to several strategic sites. On Thursday, the AP reporter said the embassy was still standing without any visible damage.
Iran’s state-run news agency earlier said a Saudi-led airstrike last night hit the embassy, citing the country’s Foreign Ministry. Saudi officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, is held by Shiite rebels known as Houthis. They are targeted by an ongoing Saudi-led military campaign on behalf of Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Iran has offered support to the Houthis, but denies actively supporting their war effort.
Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran on Sunday after crowds of protesters attacked two of its diplomatic posts in Iran. Those attacks came after Saudi Arabia executed a prominent opposition Shiite cleric over the weekend.
-Ahmed al-Haj in Sanaa, Yemen
3:35 p.m.
Iran’s state-run news agency says a Saudi-led airstrike last night hit the Iranian Embassy in Yemen.
Associated Press journalists in Yemen could not immediately reach the embassy in the war-torn capital on Thursday after the IRNA report. Saudi officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, is held by Shiite rebels known as Houthis. They are targeted by an ongoing Saudi-led military campaign on behalf of Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Iran has offered support to the Houthis, but denies actively supporting their war effort.
Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran on Sunday after crowds of protesters attacked two of its diplomatic posts in Iran. Those attacks came after Saudi Arabia executed a prominent opposition Shiite cleric over the weekend.
3 p.m.
Iran has banned the import of goods from Saudi Arabia after the kingdom cut diplomatic ties over attacks on the Saudi embassy following the execution of a Shiite cleric.
Iranian state television made the announcement Thursday. It said the decision came during an emergency meeting of the Cabinet of President Hassan Rouhani.
Annual imports from Saudi Arabia total about $60 million a year and consisted mostly of packing materials and textiles.
Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran on Sunday after crowds of protesters attacked two of its diplomatic posts in Iran. Those attacks came after Saudi Arabia executed a prominent opposition Shiite cleric over the weekend.