“The Kingdom’s permanent mission to the United Nations in New York has ... formally requested the UN secretary-general to inform the Security Council of the heinous conspiracy to assassinate the Saudi ambassador,” the SPA quoted a mission statement as saying.

“All those involved in this odious attempt should face justice,” the statement said, and added the assassination attempt against the Saudi envoy was a clear violation of international law, UN resolutions and human values.

Last Wednesday, the United States sought UN Security Council support for action to hold Iran "accountable" for the alleged plot, with Britain and France already strongly on board, according to diplomats.

US Ambassador Susan Rice, joined by the Saudi envoy to the UN Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, held separate meetings with envoys on the 15-member council, US officials and diplomats said.