Fallout Deepens Over Saudi-Iran Rift

The fallout in the Muslim world over Saudi Arabia's execution of a Shiite cleric is only getting worse. After Iranian protesters broke into the Saudi embassy in Tehran to protest, Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Iran, and now Bahrain has done the same, reports the BBC. The United Arab Emirates, meanwhile, is at least downgrading ties with Tehran, reports the AP. Some coverage:

• At the core of the matter is the split between Sunni and Shia Islam, and the New York Times has a primer.
• Why was this executed cleric so important? The Guardian has a profile of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and his long role as a "thorn" in the side of the Saudi regime.

• One word for the effect on already jittery oil prices Monday? "Volatile," reports CNNMoney.
• The US is worried the rising tensions will hurt the fight against the Islamic State in Syria, reports the Washington Post.
• Can the White House use its influence to head off the conflict? Given the matter's deep roots, don't count on it, officials tell the Wall Street Journal.
• Russia, of all nations, has offered to play mediator, reports the International Business Times.

(More Saudi Arabia stories.)