Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said Saudi Arabia has not ruled out military action against Iran following repeated missile and drone attacks, including strikes targeting the capital while regional diplomats were meeting.
Speaking after hosting foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic nations, Prince Faisal said the targeting of Riyadh during high-level diplomatic talks was “the clearest signal” of Tehran’s stance on diplomacy.
“Iran tries to pressure its neighbors through attacks,” he said, warning that Saudi Arabia “will not succumb to pressure” and that escalation “will backfire.” He reiterated that the kingdom “reserves the right to take military action if deemed necessary.”
Saudi authorities reported fresh attacks on Wednesday, with multiple explosions heard across Riyadh. The defense ministry confirmed that ballistic missiles were intercepted over the city.
The foreign minister strongly condemned what he described as repeated targeting of civilian infrastructure across the Gulf, including oil facilities, airports, desalination plants, residential areas, and diplomatic sites. He dismissed Iran’s claims that such strikes were aimed at US interests as “weak.”
“Neither Saudi Arabia nor Gulf states will accept blackmail,” he said, adding that “escalation will be met with escalation.”
A joint statement issued after the Riyadh meeting condemned the “deliberate use of ballistic missiles and drones” against civilian targets and reaffirmed the right of states to defend themselves. The ministers also called on Iran to immediately halt its attacks and de-escalate tensions.
The remarks signal a sharp rise in regional tensions, as Gulf nations warn that continued attacks could trigger a broader military response.
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