LBCI

Saudi Arabia summons Iran ambassador after poisoning of Saudis

Middle East

09-06-2015 | 11:50

Share

Share

Saudi Arabia summons Iran ambassador after poisoning of Saudis

2^min

Saudi Arabia summoned Iran's ambassador on Tuesday after four Saudis died from poisoning in the northeast Iranian city of Mashhad, Saudi foreign ministry spokesman Osama Naqli said in a statement published on the state news agency.

A group of 33 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia's Shi'ite Muslim minority was exposed to poison on Sunday while staying at a Mashhad hotel, state news agency IRNA reported on Monday.

Another Iranian news agency quoted an official as saying the poisoning appeared to be accidental, blaming poor cleaning standards at the hotel.

Four children died, while another 28 were hospitalised after the incident. Iranian authorities said they arrested five members of hotel staff.

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry called on Iran to "swiftly take the necessary investigations required and to discover the circumstances surrounding the event, and allow them to follow up on the medical conditions of the patients, and to provide necessary protection for them."

Mashhad is home to the shrine of Imam Reza, a revered figure in Shi'ite Islam, and attracts millions of pilgrims each year from around the Muslim world.

Saudi Arabia has a sizeable Shi'ite Muslim minority, which has tense relations with the Sunni political and religious establishment, some members of which accuse them of being more loyal to Iran than to the kingdom.

The two countries are locked in a power struggle that has played out across the region and taken on a sectarian dimension. Each accuses the other of creating instability in the region.

REUTERS

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Production at major Iran steel plant halted after Israeli-US strikes

Middle East News

2026-03-28

Production at major Iran steel plant halted after Israeli-US strikes

Bridge connecting Saudi Arabia, Bahrain temporarily closed: Authorities

Middle East News

2026-04-07

Bridge connecting Saudi Arabia, Bahrain temporarily closed: Authorities

Russia condemns US threats to attack Iran, warns against interference

Middle East News

2026-01-13

Russia condemns US threats to attack Iran, warns against interference

Iran Guards say Hormuz strait 'will not be opened to enemies'

Middle East News

2026-04-01

Iran Guards say Hormuz strait 'will not be opened to enemies'

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

LBCI sources: Lebanon to hand former Syrian General Adel Issa to Syrian judiciary

1

LBCI sources: Lebanon to hand former Syrian General Adel Issa to Syrian judiciary

Rain in August? Sudden weather shift surprises Lebanon: Video

2

Rain in August? Sudden weather shift surprises Lebanon: Video

Walla: Israeli military strikes Ali al-Taher heights in southern Lebanon

3

Walla: Israeli military strikes Ali al-Taher heights in southern Lebanon

Human Rights Watch urges UN to maintain peacekeeping force in South Lebanon

4

Human Rights Watch urges UN to maintain peacekeeping force in South Lebanon

Etna eruption extends closure of Sicily's Catania airport until Saturday

5

Etna eruption extends closure of Sicily's Catania airport until Saturday

Wanted for war crimes: Why was retired Syrian Gen. Adel Issa detained in Beirut?

6

Wanted for war crimes: Why was retired Syrian Gen. Adel Issa detained in Beirut?

Diplomacy vs. escalation: Southern Lebanon enters a critical new phase

7

Diplomacy vs. escalation: Southern Lebanon enters a critical new phase

Jared Kushner may visit Israel next week for talks on Gaza: Reuters

8

Jared Kushner may visit Israel next week for talks on Gaza: Reuters

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More