Saudi coast guard arrests 21 Iranians

Friday, 4 January 2013 10:30 AM

(Photo for illustrative purposes only)

Saudi Arabia has detained 21 Iranian nationals who were aboard two boats near an island off the kingdom's eastern coast, the Saudi border guard said on Thursday.

Separated by about 250km of Gulf waters, Shi'ite Muslim power Iran and Sunni-led Saudi Arabia have often had tense relations.

US ally Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of fomenting unrest among Shi'ites in its oil-rich Eastern Province, a charge Iran denies.

"One of the marine patrols was able to seize two Iranian boats on Wednesday inside Saudi regional waters," a border guard statement said.

"One of the boats had 12 people and the other nine people ... all of them are Iranians and are being questioned."

The Iranians were seized near al-Harqus island, 78km off the Saudi coast, the statement said but gave no further details.

Follow @ArabianBusiness

Join the Discussion

Disclaimer:The view expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by Arabian Business, its employees, sponsors or its advertisers.

Please post responsibly. Commenter Rules

No comments yet, be the first!

Arabian Business Power 500 2013 - Top 5 from Saudi Arabia »


View complete list

Photo Galleries
Videos

31
Dubai labourers stage rare strike for more pay

Having said some of the things that I say every now and then, I feel obliged to add that I have nothing against the concept of immigration. Immigration... more
Tuesday, 21 May 2013 9:44 PM - Hisham
14
Are there too many Brits in the UAE?

Is this journalism?
Barely-disguised street bigotry - taxi driver philosophy, no less - with a sweetener at the end.
If there are too many Brits... more
Tuesday, 21 May 2013 9:46 PM - Bint Al Abla
10
Kuwait deports 1,258 expats in a month

need, want, all semantics.

locals need to push needy unneeded expats who are unwanted. more
Tuesday, 21 May 2013 9:45 PM - exodus

Read all user comments »

54
Emirates defends no staff bonus, despite huge profit

Happy employees, happy customers. Quite simple actually. 60,000 unhappy staff, well, you do the math on how many unhappy customers can result from poor... more
Monday, 20 May 2013 10:27 AM - Louie Tedesco
31
Dubai labourers stage rare strike for more pay

Having said some of the things that I say every now and then, I feel obliged to add that I have nothing against the concept of immigration. Immigration... more
Tuesday, 21 May 2013 9:44 PM - Hisham
24
Kuwait to start medical care segregation on June 1

Let me put the entire issue in perspective. There are massive traffic problems on the roads of Kuwait, where Kuwait can boast high road fatalities and... more
Tuesday, 21 May 2013 1:28 PM - Abdullah

Read all user comments »

54
Emirates defends no staff bonus, despite huge profit

Happy employees, happy customers. Quite simple actually. 60,000 unhappy staff, well, you do the math on how many unhappy customers can result from poor... more
Monday, 20 May 2013 10:27 AM - Louie Tedesco
42
Qatar teacher jailed for insulting Muslims

Islam is not better than any other religion, to all the muslims out there, stop putting yourself on a pedestal, you are filled with self importance that... more
Tuesday, 14 May 2013 9:58 AM - graeme
31
Dubai labourers stage rare strike for more pay

Having said some of the things that I say every now and then, I feel obliged to add that I have nothing against the concept of immigration. Immigration... more
Tuesday, 21 May 2013 9:44 PM - Hisham

Read all user comments »

Log in Not registered? Register now!

Retrieve password form

Services:

Saudi coast guard arrests 21 Iranians

Related:

Stories

Galleries

Videos

Also in Culture & Society

Also in Saudi Arabia

Join the Discussion

Further reading

Features & Analysis

Most Popular

Most Discussed