Iran denounces Saudi executions after suspending talks

Iran strongly condemned Saudi Arabia’s mass execution of convicted criminals over the weekend, saying the move violates "basic principles of human rights and international law.”

In a statement late Sunday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said the mass execution Saturday by Saudi authorities of 81 men reportedly convicted of terrorism and capital crimes was carried out "without observing fair judicial processes.”

Saudi Arabia announced the execution of 81 people -- the largest mass execution in the country's history -- accusing them of crimes including murder, rape, arms smuggling and ties to terrorist groups.

Most of them were Saudi nationals, and more than half of them belonged to the Shia Muslim community, according to reports.