新年伊始，中東亂局再掀新風暴。1月2日沙特阿拉伯宣布處決包括知名什葉派教士尼姆爾在內的47名犯有恐怖主義罪行的囚犯，引發伊朗示威者衝擊焚燒沙特駐伊朗大使館，導致沙特宣布與伊朗斷絕外交關係，並切斷和伊朗的空中聯絡以及貿易往來。7日，伊朗外交部發言人指責沙特空襲伊朗駐也門大使館，宣布全面禁止從沙特進口任何商品。沙伊斷交、交惡猶如引爆了超級雷管，在中東和全球引發一系列旋風效應：

首先，強烈影響中東地區地緣政治格局。在沙特宣布與伊朗斷絕外交關係後，巴林、蘇丹、吉布提也宣布同伊斷交。阿拉伯聯合酋長國宣布把與伊朗的外交關係從大使級降為代辦級別。科威特也宣布召回該國駐伊朗大使並遞交了抗議照會。至此，海灣阿拉伯國家合作委員會6個成員國中的4個國家已出面“站隊”，用外交行動支持沙特。

其次，加劇教派矛盾，可能給地區熱點問題的政治解決進程帶來消極影響，使地區乃至全球反恐形勢增添複雜因素。沙特和伊朗在中東地區的影響舉足輕重，兩個地域大國交惡勢將導致中東安全局勢惡化甚至加劇地區國家局勢動蕩。一方面，沙伊兩國已深度介入敘利亞和也門危機，兩國斷交給敘利亞和也門問題政治解決帶來更多不確定性。另一方面，兩國交惡將形成地區安全真空，使“伊斯蘭國”和各類極端恐怖組織乘機坐大，並可能進一步外溢，對地區乃至全球安全構成新挑戰。

沙特和伊朗兩個地區大國關係惡化的原因可謂冰凍三尺，非一日之寒。近年來，沙伊交鋒不斷。2010年底開始的“阿拉伯之春”運動導致中東地緣政治版圖重新劃分，沙特和伊朗作為遜尼派與什葉派的兩個地區大國，為爭奪中東伊斯蘭世界的領導權展開了激烈博弈，在敘利亞和也門問題上更是針鋒相對。伊核協議的達成和伊朗與美國開始走近，更加深了沙特對伊朗地位上升的憂慮和對美的極大不滿。沙特宣布與伊朗斷交，使沙伊背后角力轉變為了前台對決，成為兩國地緣政治矛盾的一次爆發，也是沙特對盟友美國不滿情緒的發泄。

沙伊斷交、交惡引發國際社會廣泛關注。聯合國秘書長潘基文在第一時間敦促沙伊兩國避免局勢激化。美國國務卿克里與沙特和伊朗官員通話，再三鼓勵沙特與伊朗展開對話。俄羅斯、阿爾及利亞和伊拉克等國均表示願作為調解伊朗和沙特緊張關係的“中間人”。

對於沙伊關係惡化，中國方面迅速發聲規勸雙方保持冷靜與剋制，避免採取加劇關係緊張的行動。中國外交部副部長張明旋即趕赴沙伊兩國斡旋。這是中國在中東奉行勸和促談一貫外交政策的繼續，也是中方致力於促進中東和平與穩定努力的繼續。自2010年底中東局勢發生動蕩以來，中國一直積極致力於制止中東地區的暴力衝突，關注、緩解有關國家嚴峻的人道主義狀況，並全面推動中東地區熱點問題政治解決。中國也願與美國等各大國深入合作，通過外交途徑，緩和地區國家間的緊張關係，努力化解這一危機，共同推動地區走向和平與穩定。

As if things were not bad enough in the Middle East, just two days into 2016, Saudi Arabia sentenced to death prominent Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr and 46 other prisoners on terrorism charges. Hearing the news, protesters in Iran ransacked and set ablaze the Saudi embassy in Tehran. In response, Saudi Arabia immediately cut off diplomatic ties, flights and trade with Iran. On Jan. 7, the spokesman of the Iranian foreign ministry criticized Saudi Arabia for bombing the Iranian embassy in Yemen and announced an embargo of all imports from Saudi Arabia. The tit-for-tat triggered a perfect storm in the Middle East and around the world.

Let us first examine the geopolitical implications. After Riyadh severed ties with Tehran, three allies — Bahrain, Sudan and Djibouti — followed suit to show solidarity. The United Arab Emirates downgraded relations to chargé d'affaires level, and Kuwait recalled its ambassador from Tehran and lodged ademarche. This means that four of the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council have sided with Saudi Arabia to protest Iranian actions.

There is obviously a sectarian dimension to the chain of events, which will complicate efforts to calm various regional flashpoints and fight extremism both regionally and globally. Saudi Arabia and Iran are influential players in Middle East politics: they are both deeply involved in Syria and Yemen. Strained relations between them will bring more uncertainty to the political settlement of both crises. They will also create a security “vacuum”, which will surely be exploited by the “Islamic State” and other extremist/terrorist groups. The world will balk at the spillover effects.

The Saudi-Iranian standoff is only the latest episode of a long saga. Since 2010, the “Arab Spring” has redrawn the geopolitical map of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, a Sunni power, and Iran, a represent of Shia interests, have been in a fierce contest to gain supremacy in the Islamic world, which played out in both Syria and Yemen. The historic nuclear agreement which comes into force at this writing marked a rapprochement between Iran and the United States, which deepened Saudi Arabia's anxiety over Iranian ascendancy and dissatisfaction with Washington. Until two weeks ago, the fight between Saudi Arabia and Iran did not come out into the open. Now, the gloves are off. For Saudi Arabia, its recent retaliation against Iran is also a shot across the bow intended for its American ally.

The international community has been alarmed. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged steps to de-escalate tension. US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke with senior officials in both countries and encouraged reconciliatory dialogue. Russia, Algeria, Iraq and others have offered their good offices.

China has acted swiftly, urging both parties to calm down and show restraint. Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming flew immediately to both capitals. This is consistent with China's longstanding policy and a continuation of its efforts to enhance peace and stability in the Middle East. More broadly, China has worked hard since 2010 to contain the spread of violence, alleviate the humanitarian situation and facilitate the political settlement of varioushot spots in the Middle East. China has worked and will continue to work with the United States and other major powers to reduce tension and resolve the Saudi-Iranian standoff through diplomatic channels. People can expect China to play its due part for peace and stability in the Middle East.