White House: Saudi Arabia and Iran to trade with caution over the crisis spurred by the execution of a senior shi'ite cleric

Iraqi Shia protesters chant slogans against the Saudi government as they hold posters showing Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, who was executed in Saudi Arabia last week, during a demonstration in Najaf. (AP photo)

Iraqi Shia protesters chant slogans against the Saudi government as they hold posters showing Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, who was executed in Saudi Arabia last week, during a demonstration in Najaf.

 The White House  on Monday urged Saudi Arabia and Iran to show restraint in the crisis spurred by the execution of a senior Shi'ite cleric by Saudi Arabia.

"We do continue to be concerned about the need for both the Iranians and the Saudis to de-escalate the situation. We are urging all sides to show some restraint and to not further inflame tensions that are on quite vivid display in the region," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in a daily news briefing.

He said US secretary of state John Kerry had been in touch with his Iranian counterpart and US diplomatic officials had been in contact with Saudi officials to convey the message.