The United States has issued a statement that it will not serve as mediator in the current dispute between Iran and Saudi Arabia concerning Riyadh’s execution of a Shiite cleric and 46 Shiite Muslims. Saudi Arabia recently announced the execution after it convicted the group of 47 of terrorism and accused them of being members of the terrorist group al-Qaeda.

Among those executed was Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, which prompted an attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran and the Saudi consulate in Mashhad.

Following the execution, Human Rights Watch issued a statement condemning the mass executions, calling it shameful. Demonstrations followed in Iran, which culminated in the attack on the embassy and consulate. In response, Saudi Arabia announced it would cut diplomatic ties and air transport links with Iran.

The repercussions from the mass execution extended to attempts to stabilize the situation in Syria, making the process even more difficult. The United States is concerned about the precarious position concerning Syria and after condemning the execution, went on to state it denounces the assaults on the diplomatic facilities of Saudi Arabia in Iran, essentially calling both sides out for their behavior and asking that the situation be resolved as soon as possible.

As far as becoming directly involved in resolving the matter, the United States is standing firm and does not believe mediation would do much in the way of making the situation any better. The hope is the two countries can resolve their issues and move forward, creating a more stable environment in the Middle East.