Flames rise from Saudi Arabia’s embassy during a demonstration in Tehran January 2, 2016.

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday accused Iran of a nearly four-decade record of “sedition, unrest and chaos,” in a statement released on the Saudi Press Agency.

“Since the Iranian revolution in 1979, Iran has established a record of spreading sedition, unrest and chaos in the region,” the agency quoted an unnamed senior foreign ministry official as saying.

“During the same period, the kingdom has maintained a policy of restraint in spite of having suffered — as have neighboring countries — the consequences of Iran’s continued aggressive policies.”

The official said Iranian policy was based primarily on the idea of exporting revolution.

“Iran recruits militias in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen”, the official said, further accusing Iran of supporting “terrorism” and carrying out assassinations.

Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran reached a new high this month when Riyadh and a number of its Arab allies cut diplomatic ties with Tehran.

They acted after protesters burned Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran following the kingdom’s January 2 execution of Shiite preacher Nimr al-Nimr.

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