Saudi Arabia warned Iran of a possible response in the event of new attacks
Saudi Arabia has informed Iran that it supports a diplomatic resolution to the conflict between Tehran and the United States. At the same time, Riyadh warned that continued attacks on the kingdom's territory or its energy infrastructure could force Saudi Arabia to respond. This was reported to Reuters by four sources familiar with the situation.
This message was conveyed ahead of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's speech on Saturday, during which he apologised to neighbouring Persian Gulf states for Tehran's actions. His words were seen as an attempt to ease tensions after Iranian strikes hit civilian targets.
Two days earlier, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. During the conversation, he clearly stated Riyadh's position.
According to sources, Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that Saudi Arabia was ready to support any form of mediation aimed at de-escalation and a negotiated settlement. He also stressed that neither Saudi Arabia nor other Gulf states had allowed the United States to use their airspace or territory for air strikes against Iran.
At the same time, according to interlocutors, the minister stressed that if Iran's attacks on Saudi Arabia or its energy facilities continue, the kingdom will be forced to allow US forces to use its bases for military operations. Riyadh may also respond if strikes on critical energy infrastructure continue.
Sources noted that Saudi Arabia had maintained regular contact with Tehran through its ambassador since the start of the US and Israeli military campaign against Iran on 28 February. The operation began after talks on Iran's nuclear programme broke down.
The foreign ministries of Saudi Arabia and Iran did not respond to requests for comment.
Drone and missile attacks in the Persian Gulf countries
Over the past week, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have been hit by numerous Iranian drone and missile attacks.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the war. Tehran then launched strikes against Israel and Arab states in the Persian Gulf, where US military bases are located. Israel also attacked the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon.
Abbas Araghchi said in an interview on Saturday that he was in constant contact with his Saudi counterpart and other officials in the kingdom. According to him, Riyadh assured Tehran that it fully respects its commitment not to allow its territory, waters or airspace to be used for attacks against Iran.
Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran's interim governing council had approved the suspension of attacks on neighbouring countries, provided that no attack on Iran was launched from their territory.
"I personally apologise to neighbouring countries that have been affected by Iran's actions," he said.
It is not yet clear to what extent these statements indicate a change in Iran's policy. On Saturday, there were reports of new strikes on countries in the Persian Gulf.
In addition, there were signs of possible disagreements within Iran's leadership. The Central Command of Khatam al-Anbia, which coordinates the combat operations of the Iranian armed forces, said that US and Israeli bases and interests in the region would remain targets.
The command's statement said that the Iranian armed forces respect the sovereignty and interests of neighbouring states and have not taken action against them. At the same time, it emphasised that American and Israeli military bases and facilities on land, at sea and in the air remain primary targets and may be subject to "powerful and heavy" strikes.
US President Donald Trump wrote on social media that Iran "apologised and surrendered to its neighbours in the Middle East, promising not to fire on them anymore." According to him, this promise was made due to constant strikes by the US and Israel.
Two Iranian sources confirmed that a telephone conversation took place between Riyadh and Tehran, during which Saudi Arabia warned Iran of the need to stop attacks on the territory of the kingdom and neighbouring Persian Gulf states.
According to them, Iran responded that the strikes were not directed against the states of the region, but against American interests and military bases located on their territory.
One Iranian source also reported that Tehran demanded the closure of American military bases in the region and the cessation of the transfer of intelligence data to Washington, which Iran believes is being used for attacks against it.
Another source in Iran noted that part of the military command insists on continuing the strikes. They accuse the US of using bases in the Persian Gulf countries and their airspace to conduct operations against Iran.
In recent years, Iran has restored relations with some of its Gulf neighbours, including its former regional rival Saudi Arabia. This diplomatic process has been threatened by the massive drone and missile attacks carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps over the past week.
