RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned what it describes as Iran’s sustained campaign of aggression against the Kingdom, fellow GCC and other nations, cautioning that continued escalation would ultimately devastate Iran itself.
In a statement issued on Monday, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that if Iran presses ahead with its attacks, it would bear the heaviest diplomatic, economic, and strategic consequences, and be “the biggest loser.”
The ministry stated that the attacks were “unacceptable under any circumstances,” and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s right to take measures to protect its people, territory, and sovereignty.
Riyadh condemned Iran’s attacks on civilian airports and oil infrastructure, calling them a violation of international law and a deliberate attempt to destabilize the region.
“The targeting of civilian airports and oil facilities is nothing but a demonstration of determination to threaten security and stability and a flagrant violation of international covenants and international law,” the statement said.
The ministry also pushed back against recent remarks by Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, who had publicly stated that Tehran had no intention of attacking neighboring countries.
The ministry rejected that assurance as hollow, arguing that Iran’s strikes had continued unabated both during and after the speech, driven by what Riyadh called “flimsy pretexts.”
Saudi Arabia rejected Iran’s allegation that the Kingdom had allowed fighter jets and refueling aircraft to launch from Saudi territory to participate in hostilities against Iran.
“The reality is that those aircraft are conducting air patrols to monitor and protect the airspace of the Kingdom and the GCC states from Iranian missiles and drones,” the ministry stated.
