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Iranian press decries 'soft coup' in Saudi Arabia

Reactions in the Iranian media to Mohammed bin Salman’s appointment as crown prince of Saudi Arabia suggest concern about escalating tensions.
Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman (2nd L) takes his seat to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis and his delegation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 19, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RTS12Z1R

On June 21, Iranians woke up to the news that Mohammed bin Salman, a man notorious in Tehran for his anti-Iran remarks, had been appointed crown prince of Saudi Arabia, replacing Mohammed bin Nayef.

Since King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud ascended to the throne, Iran and Saudi Arabia’s relationship has deteriorated, and many in Iran see the new crown prince — the king's son — as the architect of Saudi Arabia’s offense-minded foreign policy in recent years. This policy has included unanticipated moves such as the war on Yemen and siege on Qatar.

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