Tehran, January 4 (RHC)-- Saudi Arabia has announced severing of diplomatic relations with Iran following Tehran's objection to the execution of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir made the announcement in a Sunday address aired by al-Arabiya News Channel, adding that Iran's diplomatic mission and related entities had 48 hours to leave the country.

The move followed demonstrations held in front of the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in the northeastern city of Mashhad by angry protesters, censuring the Al Saud family for the killing of the top cleric as part of a crackdown on Shias mostly residing in the kingdom's Eastern Province.