‘You must understand that Iranians are not Muslims, they are sons of Magi (Zoroastrians), and their hostility toward Muslims, especially the Sunnis, is an old one.’ These words were delivered on 6 September by the grand mufti of Saudi Arabia, Abdul-Aziz Al Sheikh, as a response to the Haj message which the Iranian supreme leader released the preceding day. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had stated, ‘Saudi officials are trying to cover up their enmity and hatred of the faithful and revolutionary people of Iran by talking about politicisation of the Haj. They are small and pitiful devils who are very afraid of jeopardising the interests of the big Satan, the United States.’ Although Iranian president Hassan Rouhani came to power in 2013 with the promise of easing tensions between Iran and other countries in the region, what is currently taking place between Tehran and Riyadh cannot in any way be considered a de-escalation.