Saudi Arabia Affirms Right To Defend Security Against Iranian Attacks And Warns Of Wider Escalation Losses

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strongly condemns the Iranian attacks against Saudi Arabia, Gulf Cooperation Council states, and several Arab, Islamic, and friendly countries, describing these actions as completely unacceptable and unjustifiable and warning that they carry serious consequences for regional stability and future relations.

The ministry explains that the Kingdom reserves its full right to take whatever measures are required to protect national security, preserve sovereignty, and safeguard citizens and residents, adding that any necessary steps will aim to deter further aggression and respond to what the Kingdom views as a rising pattern of Iranian attacks.

"Targeting civilian objects, airports, and oil facilities reflects nothing but a determination to threaten security and stability and to persist in blatantly violating international charters and international law. With regard to the statement made by the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in which he indicated that there are no plans to attack neighboring countries and that the decision had been taken by the Leadership Council, the Kingdom affirms that the Iranian side has not reflected that statement in practice, whether during the Iranian president's speech or afterward. Instead, attacks have continued based on baseless claims, including false allegations, previously refuted by the Kingdom, claiming that fighter jets and refueling aircraft had departed from the Kingdom to participate in the war, while it was clarified that the mission of these aircraft is to conduct air patrols to monitor and protect the airspace of the Kingdom and the GCC states from Iranian missiles and drones," said the ministry.

The statement notes that the continuation of Iranian attacks signals a further escalation, which the Kingdom believes will negatively affect bilateral ties with Iran, both at present and in the long term, and increase tensions across the Gulf Cooperation Council region and neighbouring Arab and Islamic countries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stresses that "Iran's current actions toward our countries do not reflect wisdom or serve the interest of avoiding a widening escalation, in which Iran would be the greatest loser," highlighting Saudi concerns that the pattern of attacks undermines any efforts to limit confrontation and reduce security risks.

The ministry indicates that the statement was issued through the Saudi Press Agency, with local time recorded as 12:59 and the corresponding international reference given as 09:59 GMT, underlining the official nature of the message and the Kingdom's intention to document its position on the current Iranian attacks.

With inputs from SPA