European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has called Iran's foreign minister after Saudi Arabia executed a Shiite cleric.

An EU statement said Mogherini had a "long conversation" with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. It said Zarif explained how Iran sought to "defuse the tensions and protect the Saudi diplomats" after the Saudi Embassy in Tehran was attacked overnight, ABC news reported on Sunday.

The statement said both agree "no effort should be spared by all parties to keep the situation under control and to avoid sectarian tensions to escalate."

Saudi Arabia executed Sheikh Nimr al Nimr on Saturday along with 46 others convicted on terror charges, including three other Shiite dissidents and a number of al Qaida militants.

Al Nimr was an outspoken critic of Saudi Arabia's Sunni monarchy but denied ever calling for violence. His execution has sparked outrage among Shiites across the region.

Source: MENA