Saudi Arabia has expelled the military attaché of the Iran embassy along with four other mission staff, declaring them persona non grata and ordering them to leave the Kingdom within 24 hours. The move comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following a series of missile and drone attacks attributed to Iran targeting Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations.
In an official statement, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned what it described as “blatant” and repeated Iranian attacks, stating that such actions constitute a serious violation of international conventions, the principles of sovereignty, and regional agreements. The Kingdom also emphasized that the attacks undermine the principles of good neighborliness and contradict broader commitments to regional stability.
The government warned that continued hostilities could further escalate tensions and have long-term consequences for diplomatic relations between the two countries. Saudi Arabia reiterated its commitment to safeguarding national security and affirmed that it would take all necessary measures to protect its territory, airspace, citizens, and critical resources, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Shortly after the expulsion order, Saudi authorities reported intercepting drones in the eastern region, along with ballistic missile activity targeting the Riyadh area. While one missile was successfully intercepted, two others reportedly landed in uninhabited areas, avoiding casualties but raising concerns over continued security threats.
Since the onset of the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, Saudi Arabia has reported multiple instances of missile and drone incursions. Several oil and energy facilities across the Kingdom and other Gulf countries have also been targeted, increasing fears of disruptions to global energy supplies and regional stability.
The latest diplomatic action marks a significant escalation in Saudi-Iran relations and reflects the broader geopolitical strain across the Middle East as the conflict continues to intensify.
