Iran has summoned the Saudi charge d'affaires in Tehran to protest the execution of three Iranians in Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking.

According to Iranian state media, the death sentences of the three men, who had been convicted of smuggling large amounts of hashish to the kingdom, were carried out in the city of Dammam earlier on November 8.

"Countries refrain from executing such sentences by respecting bilateral relations and keeping in mind that implementing such sentences will not bear a positive effect on ties," Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Qashqavi was quoted as saying by Press TV.

Iran and Saudi Arabia, regional rivals, are at odds over crises in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, as well as the disaster at the hajj in September in which 465 Iranians died in a crush of pilgrims near Mecca.

Last year, Saudi Arabia executed more people than any country except China and Iran. Most executions in Saudi Arabia are by public beheading.

Based on reporting by Reuters