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war of words has broken out between Iran and Saudi Arabia following execution of religious figure by Saudi authorities on Saturday. Shia Muslim cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was among 47 men Saudi Arabian government put to death on terrorism charges. Saudi leaders said Mr al-Nimr had led anti-government protests in east of country in 2011-2012. He was previously convicted of disobedience and of bearing arms. Al-Nimr maintained he never carried weapons or called for violence but had encouraged Shia Muslims to resist police bullets using " roar of word" instead. Iran's leaders said al-Nimr was killed for being Shia Muslim. Saudi Arabia is largely Sunni Muslim country.

Protests against execution took place in Iranian capital Tehran on Sunday. Demonstrators stormed Saudi Arabian embassy and set parts of it on fire. Iran's foreign ministry said Saudi Arabia would pay "heavy price" for execution, including possible downfall of its government. The Saudi government said Iran had no right to create tensions and said execution was internal Saudi matter. The foreign ministry said the killing of Mr al-Nimr had nothing to do with his being Shia Muslim. It said: "There is no difference between what person does regardless of his ethnic origin or affiliation, or what he believes. We deal with facts and criminal intent."