Tehran:A senior Iranian cleric says the execution of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr indicates that Saudi Arabia seeks to trigger sectarian strife between Shia and Sunni Muslims.

“Certainly, this crime has not been [committed] without the US knowledge…and we know that it is in line with creating a sectarian war between Sunnis and Shias,” Ayatollah Nasser Makarem-Shirazi said on Saturday.

He added that Saudis take every action after consulting with the US; however, they should know that Shia Muslims have no conflict with Sunnis but that they oppose Takfiris.

He said Nimr’s execution left no doubt that Saudi Arabia is the hub for Takfiri ideology in the world.

“Al Saud must know that this crime will not be forgotten and that they will see the consequences of this unwise act in the future,” the senior Iranian cleric pointed out.