Saudi Arabia has issued its strongest warning yet to Iran, signaling that continued attacks on Gulf states could trigger military action.
Speaking in Riyadh, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said trust with Tehran has been shattered and urged Iran to immediately halt its aggression.
At a press conference in Riyadh, Prince Faisal bin Farhan made it clear that Saudi Arabia reserves the right to take military action if necessary. He warned that if Iran believes Gulf states are incapable of responding to aggression, it is a serious miscalculation.
“The patience being exhibited is not unlimited,” he said, adding that Saudi leadership will take necessary decisions when the time comes.
Missile attacks escalate regional tensions
The warning came after Riyadh was targeted by Iranian ballistic missiles during a high-level diplomatic meeting attended by foreign ministers from Gulf and Islamic countries, including Turkey, the UAE, Jordan, Qatar, and Syria.
Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry confirmed it intercepted four ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh, with debris falling near a refinery south of the city. Interceptors were seen launched near the conference venue, highlighting the seriousness of the attack.
The conflict has expanded across the region, with Iranian attacks targeting key energy facilities. Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas facility suffered significant damage, while the UAE’s Habshan gas facility was also targeted.
Saudi Arabia has faced hundreds of missile and drone attacks since the start of the conflict, most of which authorities say were intercepted. However, recent strikes marked the first time many residents heard explosions or received emergency alerts.
Iran accused of proxy warfare
Prince Faisal accused Iran of adopting a hostile, premeditated strategy against neighboring countries over the past decade. He said the precision of recent attacks shows they were carefully planned and organized, not reactive measures.
The Saudi foreign minister also criticized Iran’s regional role, accusing it of interfering in Iraq, supporting Houthi rebels in Yemen, backing Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria, and aiding proxy groups in Lebanon involved in political assassinations and monopolizing power.
Lack of support for Islamic world
Questioning Tehran’s claims of supporting the Muslim world, Prince Faisal said Iran raises “empty slogans” while using weapons to protect its own interests. He added that Iran’s actions have consistently increased difficulties for Islamic countries rather than helping them.
The Saudi foreign minister stated that attacks on neighbouring and Gulf countries are a clear violation of international law. He also called on Iran to stop supporting proxy groups and ensure the security of vital sea routes in the region.
Despite the escalating tensions, Prince Faisal emphasized that Saudi Arabia still supports political dialogue and negotiation efforts.
However, he acknowledged that trust between Riyadh and Tehran has been “completely shattered,” despite the restoration of diplomatic ties in 2023 after years of rivalry. He warned that even after the war ends, rebuilding trust will take a long time.
“If Iran doesn’t stop immediately, there will be almost nothing that can re-establish that trust,” he said.
Regional war fuels global energy disruption
The ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, now in its third week, has significantly destabilized the region. Iran accused Israel of striking its South Pars gas field and responded by vowing attacks on oil and gas targets across the Gulf.
This escalation has already caused major disruptions to global energy supplies and pushed oil prices higher.
Prince Faisal urged Iran to “recalculate” its strategy and stop attacking neighbouring countries immediately.
While expressing doubt about Tehran’s willingness to change course, he stressed that continued aggression would have political, moral, and potentially military consequences.
