Protesters Storm, Set Fire to Saudi Embassy in Tehran

In the wake of Saudi Arabia's execution on Saturday of 47 prisoners convicted of terrorism charges, including a prominent Shiite cleric, protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran, breaking windows and setting it on fire.

Iranian journalist Sobhan Hassanvand tweeted photos and video from the scene early Sunday:

It's 23:50 here in Tehran, seems protest agnst Nimr execution continues outside Saudi embassy in Tehran right now pic.twitter.com/5LLj89FhYn

— Sobhan Hassanvand (@Hassanvand) January 2, 2016

Iran's semiofficial ISNA news agency confirmed protesters were angry over the execution of a Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. Iran's parliament speaker warned that the execution would prompt "a maelstrom" in Saudi Arabia.

Video shows protesters inside Saudi embassy in Tehran pic.twitter.com/DEmsNLI6ZG

— Sobhan Hassanvand (@Hassanvand) January 2, 2016

The Saturday night ISNA report said that the country's top police official, Gen. Hossein Sajedinia, has rushed to the scene and police were working to disperse the crowd.

VIDEO: 12:08 AM, seems molotov cocktail thrown at Saudi embassy building in Tehran, protest over al-Nimr execution pic.twitter.com/d6vFKPcD6R

— Sobhan Hassanvand (@Hassanvand)

January 2, 2016

#BREAKING: Angry protesters storm Saudi embassy in Tehran pic.twitter.com/xOX5n6QtsR

— Sobhan Hassanvand (@Hassanvand) January 2, 2016

RIGHT NOW: Saudi embassy in Tehran on fire after stormed by protesters over execution of Shiite leader al-Nimr pic.twitter.com/k92bTkh5hb

— Sobhan Hassanvand (@Hassanvand) January 2, 2016

Protesters break into Saudi embassy building in Tehran pic.twitter.com/7wtBGpZuco

— Sobhan Hassanvand (@Hassanvand) January 2, 2016

Al-Nimr was one of the leaders Saudi Arabia's Shiite Muslim minority and was convicted for his role in multiple protests that turned violent. He remained a staunch critic of the ruling Al Saud family, but maintained that he never advocated violence.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

This story has been updated.