Kuwait became Tuesday the latest Gulf Arab state to recall its ambassador from Iran, as tensions between Riyadh and Tehran rise over the execution of Saudi prominent cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

Kuwait became Tuesday the latest Gulf Arab state to recall its ambassador from Iran, as tensions between Riyadh and Tehran rise over the execution of Saudi prominent cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

The announcement comes a day after Saudi Arabia and Bahrain severed ties with Iran this week. And the United Arab Emirates has recalled its ambassador and downgraded ties with the Islamic republic.

However, Kuwait did not expel Tehran's ambassador or downgrade the level of diplomatic relationship with Iran like the other Gulf states.

Saudi authorities announced on Saturday it had executed Sheikh Nimr. He was a vocal supporter of the mass pro-democracy protests against Riyadh, which erupted in Eastern Province in 2011, where a Shia majority has long complained of marginalization.

Following the execution of Sheikh Nimr, Saudi missions in Iran were attacked by protesters who were angered by the move.

The attacks "represent a flagrant breach of international agreements and norms and a grave violation of Iran's international commitments for the security of diplomatic missions and the safety of diplomats," the official KUNA news agency cited the Kuwaiti foreign ministry as saying.

Iranian officials have said some 50 people were detained over the incidents outside the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad.

President Hassan Rouhani denounced the assaults and pledged to deal firmly with "unruly" elements.