The arson attack on Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Tehran that prompted Riyadh to cut diplomatic ties with Iran was initially seen as a victory for hardline opponents of President Hassan Rouhani.
The arson attack on Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Tehran that prompted Riyadh to cut diplomatic ties with Iran was initially seen as a victory for hardline opponents of President Hassan Rouhani.
But analysts say the incident could ultimately backfire on his foes ahead of Iranian parliamentary elections in February, giving the moderate Mr Rouhani ammunition as he confronts conservatives and works to restore his country’s international reputation.
Although similar episodes have occurred in the past — Britain’s embassy was stormed in 2011 for example — Mr Rouhani’s response signals a shift against the “rogue elements” he condemned for Saturday’s attack.
The violence has undermined the President’s efforts in West Asia and beyond to bring Iran out of its relative isolation — exemplified by the 2015 deal with world powers on its nuclear programme.
His government has maintained its criticism of Saudi Arabia’s execution of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr, which sparked the angry protests at the Tehran embassy and Riyadh’s consulate in Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city.
The row has reduced opportunities for Mr Rouhani to engage with Arab states — several Saudi allies also cut or reduced ties — and benefited those who want to stop his efforts at rapprochement.
“The reaction at the embassy changed the game against us and helped Saudi Arabia and the radicals,” Amir Mohebbian, a political strategist, said. “Public opinion, not only in Iran but the world, had been against Saudi Arabia but the action of the radicals made the situation bad for Iran.”
