Despite signs that Iran and Saudi Arabia would begin to take steps to address a myriad of regional differences and tone down sectarian tensions, this week officials have openly criticized one another over the Syrian civil war and the death sentence of a prominent Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia.

Nimr al-Nimr, an outspoken cleric from the predominantly Shiite Eastern province who has led protests for more rights and an end to discrimination by the Sunni authorities, was convicted of sedition and sentenced to death, according to his brother.

Deputy Iranian Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian said, “If the sentence of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr is true, it will undoubtedly hurt the feelings of Muslims and will be followed by an international reaction.” Abdollahian added, “It is expected that the Saudi Arabian officials will prevent this execution and [avoid] increasing conflict in the Islamic world.”

A number of other Iranian officials and particularly conservative media outlets also showed strong reactions to the death sentence. Ibrahim Agha Mohammadi, a member of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy committee, warned that if the execution is carried out, “The blood of the oppressed will shake the feet of the oppressor.”