Iran Claims Saudi Arabia Delayed Covid-19 Treatment for Envoy Who Died

(Bloomberg) -- Iran said the government in Saudi Arabia delayed air travel for its ambassador to Yemen when he needed urgent medical treatment after contracting Covid-19.

Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told state TV on Tuesday that Iran’s efforts to secure a flight to Tehran for Hassan Irloo, Iran’s ambassador in the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa, were delayed by Saudi officials and “decision-makers.” 

Irloo died in Tehran earlier Tuesday morning after being eventually flown out, the semi-official Mehr news reported, adding that his condition became “unfavorable” because of “the late cooperation of some countries.”

The incident comes as Tehran and Riyadh have tried to improve ties and start a dialogue to reduce tensions in the region. Since 2015 the two countries have been locked in a bitter proxy war in Yemen that’s caused a humanitarian catastrophe in the country and deepened their conflict over U.S. policy in the Middle East and the ailing nuclear deal. 

Amirabdollahian said Iran would make an official complaint “according to international conventions” over the matter. Saudi has not yet officially responded to the claims. 

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