Six Iranians Are Executed by Saudi Arabia for Drug Smuggling

Saudi Arabia has continued to implement its tough anti-drug policies by announcing the execution of six Iranians found guilty of drug smuggling.

As the two countries attempt to mend their tense relationship, Saudi Arabia sharply objected Wednesday when it reported that it had executed six Iranian men for drug smuggling.

The Saudi Interior Ministry claims that after the Supreme Court denied their appeal, the men were apprehended smuggling hashish into the kingdom and put to death.

The government said that the penalty was in line with Islamic law and was meant to shield locals and inhabitants “from the scourge of drugs,” but it did not say when the executions occurred.

According to the official IRNA news agency, Iran’s Foreign Ministry responded by calling for the Saudi envoy to come and express disapproval. Iran intends to visit Riyadh with a delegation to continue the conversation.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mojtaba Shasti Karimi criticized the executions, saying they went against the two countries’ larger pattern of judicial cooperation. He went on to say that it was “not acceptable under any circumstances” for Saudi Arabia to move further without first informing Iran.

Following a seven-year break, Saudi Arabia and Iran reestablished diplomatic relations in early 2023, and the executions coincide with their efforts to mend fences.