RIYADH/TEHRAN: Saudi Arabia has warned Iran that continued attacks on the kingdom and its energy infrastructure could force Riyadh to respond, even as it continues to support diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict between Iran and the United States, according to media reports citing informed sources.
The message was conveyed ahead of remarks by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday in which he apologised to neighbouring Gulf states for recent Iranian strikes that affected civilian areas.
Sources said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud communicated Riyadh’s position during a recent telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
According to the sources, Saudi Arabia expressed readiness to support mediation efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and achieving a negotiated settlement. Riyadh also reiterated that neither it nor other Gulf states had allowed US forces to use their airspace or territory to launch attacks on Iran.
However, Saudi Arabia warned that if Iranian strikes continued against the kingdom’s territory or critical energy facilities, Riyadh could permit US forces to use bases in the country for military operations and would respond accordingly.
Sources said Saudi Arabia has remained in contact with Tehran through diplomatic channels since the United States and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran on February 28 following the collapse of talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Officials from the Saudi and Iranian foreign ministries did not immediately comment on the reports.
Rising regional tensions
Several Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, have reported drone and missile attacks during the past week amid the escalating conflict.
The situation intensified after the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the start of the conflict. Iran subsequently launched attacks against Israel and Gulf states hosting US military installations, while Israel carried out strikes against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Araghchi said he remained in regular contact with Saudi officials and added that Riyadh had assured Tehran that its territory, waters and airspace would not be used for attacks against Iran.
President Pezeshkian said Iran’s interim leadership council had approved suspending attacks on neighbouring countries unless attacks against Iran originated from those territories.
“I personally apologise to neighbouring countries that were affected by Iran’s actions,” he said.
However, Iran’s military command Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said in a statement that US and Israeli bases and interests across the region would remain targets for Iranian forces.
The command said Iran respected the sovereignty of neighbouring states but warned that US and Israeli military assets across the region would face “powerful and heavy” strikes if hostilities continued.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said in a social media post that Iran had apologised to its regional neighbours and pledged not to target them further.
Iranian sources confirmed that communication had taken place between Riyadh and Tehran, during which Saudi Arabia warned Iran to halt attacks against Gulf states.
According to the sources, Iran responded that its strikes were aimed at US military installations rather than Gulf countries themselves.
One Iranian source also said Tehran had demanded the closure of US bases in the region and urged some Gulf states to stop sharing intelligence with Washington that Iran believes is being used in operations against it.
In recent years, Iran had taken steps to improve relations with Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, after years of rivalry. However, the recent escalation involving drone and missile attacks has strained those diplomatic gains.