Iran bans imports from Saudi Arabia as rift escalates

Iran has banned imports from Saudi Arabia as the rift between the two nations escalated on Thursday.

Iran's government said it will no longer allow imports from Saudi Arabia following a cabinet meeting chaired by President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday morning, state news agency IRNA reported.

The government also reaffirmed a ban on Umrah pilgrimages to Mecca which was imposed in April. Umrah pilgrimages are important to Muslims and lucrative to Saudi Arabia.

The move came as Iran reportedly accused Saudi Arabia of intentionally launching an airstrike on its embassy in Yemeni capital Sanaa.

"Saudi Arabia is responsible for this action, as well as for compensating Iran for injuries to the embassy personnel and the damages to the embassy building," said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari on Thursday, according to state-run IRIB News.

The spokesman said the Iranian Embassy was damaged and several guards were injured.

The Saudi-led coalition denied the claims. Spokesman Col. Ahmed Asseri said an investigation is needed.

"This is not credible because we have not seen any evidence," Asseri said. "But we will investigate."

Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran on Sunday after Iranian protesters stormed the embassy in Tehran.