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(Image: GETTY/AFP)

A global conflict was already feared after the leader of Iran promised “divine retribution” for the killing amid furious protests in several countries.

Saudi Arabia put the axing of diplomatic ties with Iran down to the storming of its embassy in Iranian capital Tehran.

Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told a news conference that Iran's diplomatic mission and related entities in Saudi Arabia had been given 48 hours to leave.

He said Riyadh would not "allow the Islamic Republic to undermine the Sunni kingdom's security".

Mass protests have threatened to bring down the Saudi kingdom, with hundreds marching through the eastern town of Qatif calling for the end of the Al Saud royal family after Sheikh Nimr Baqr al-Nimr was killed.

With tensions escalating, protestors last night burned the embassy in Tehran as the kingdom accused its neighbour of supporting terrorism.

A source close to the government said: "Enough is enough. Again and again Tehran has thumbed their nose at the West. They continue to sponsor terrorism and launch ballistic missiles and no one is doing anything about it. The Saudis really don't care if they anger the White House."

(Image: ISNA) (Image: AFP/GETTY)

Iran has hit back, insisting that no Saudi diplomats in Tehran were harmed, and said the Arab state would not be able to "cover up the mistake of executing a religious figure by cutting diplomatic ties".

More protests against the royal family took place in Bahrain, where police fired tear gas, and in northern India.

A second protest in Qatif – al-Nimr’s home city – was planned for Sunday, according to Rori Donaghy of Middle East Eye.

Further unrest is expected elsewhere as activists call for more protests throughout the Middle East.

(Image: GETTY) (Image: EPA)

Earlier Iraq’s former PM Nuri al-Maliki says the execution “will topple the Saudi regime” – a view shared by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

And the US State Department said the execution "risks exacerbating sectarian tensions at a time when they urgently need to be reduced”.

Similar sentiments were given by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and an official at the German Foreign Ministry.

(Image: GETTY) (Image: GETTY/REUTERS)

Shia cleric al-Nimr was one of 47 people executed yesterday, most of whom were convicted al-Qaida jihadists.

But Iran says the sheikh “neither invited people to take up arms nor hatched covert plots. The only thing he did was public criticism”.

The controversial figure had called for free elections in Saudi Arabia but was convicted of terrorism charges, though he denied ever advocating violence.

In Tehran, 40 people have been arrested on suspicion of taking part in the burning of the Saudi embassy last night.

Hassan Rouhani, Iran’s President, blamed the firebombing on “extremist individuals” but also condemned the execution as “inhuman”.

The country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said: "The unjustly spilled blood of this oppressed martyr will no doubt soon show its effect and divine vengeance will befall Saudi politicians.”