Saudis reveal that Egypt foiled Iran plot to kill their envoy
Three Iranians were arrested three months ago for attempting to kill ambassador in Cairo
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Egyptian forces foiled an Iranian assassination attempt on Saudi Arabian ambassador Ahmed Abdel Aziz al-Qattan three months ago, according to the Saudi embassy’s legal advisor, Sami Jamal.
Jamal was quoted in several Saudi newspapers Tuesday as saying that when the attack was thwarted, Egyptian authorities informed the Saudi government that three Iranians were arrested. But the Saudis chose to keep the matter quiet, fearing that publicity would encourage other foreign parties to take advantage of the unrest in Egypt to attack other members of the Saudi diplomatic mission.
Iran has categorically denied any assassination attempt. The Times of India reported that the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, Ramin Mehmanparast, told reporters in Tehran that “manufacturing such issues can only help divisions among Muslim countries and benefit the Zionist regime (Israel).”
On Saturday, Saudi Arabia closed its Cairo embassy and recalled its ambassador following protests over a detained Egyptian human rights lawyer in a sharp escalation of tension between the two countries.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Muhammad Kamel Amr voiced confidence Monday that relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt would remain strong despite the crisis.
Elhanan Miller and AP contributed to this report.
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