The fallout from Saudi Arabia’s execution of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr continues today

Kuwait has now joined Bahrain and Sudan in severing diplomatic ties with Iran in solidarity with Saudi Arabia, which announced on Sunday that it was breaking ties after an angry mob stormed its embassy in Tehran. The United Arab Emirates said it would downgrade its diplomatic relations, but stopped short of a complete break with Iran. On Monday, Iraqi officials and police said that two Sunni mosques had been attacked the day before in apparent retaliation for Nimr’s execution. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, however, blamed the attacks on the Islamic State “and those who are similar to them.” Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu urged Saudi Arabia and Iran to deescalate the situation quickly and offered to mediate between the countries. "Diplomatic channels must be given a chance immediately. As Turkey, we are ready to offer any constructive help we can for a solution," he said in a parliamentary meeting. Saudi Arabia, for its part, has downplayed the potential effect the diplomatic tensions could have on upcoming peace talks on the Syrian and Yemeni civil wars.