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By Open Chronicle Staff | Monday, March 9, 2026
RIYADH — The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a scathing condemnation of Iran on Monday, accusing the Islamic Republic of flagrantly violating international law and failing to honor public commitments made by President Masoud Pezeshkian to refrain from targeting its neighbors.
In a formal statement, Riyadh detailed a series of “unjustified” Iranian strikes on civilian infrastructure, including airports, residential areas, and vital oil facilities across the Gulf region. The ministry asserted that these actions directly contradict President Pezeshkian’s recent diplomatic overtures, in which he claimed Iran had no intention of attacking neighboring sovereign states.
“Baseless Pretexts”
“The Iranian side did not implement that call, neither during the president’s speech nor afterward; instead, it continued its attacks under baseless pretexts,” the Saudi Ministry stated.
The “pretexts” in question involve allegations from Tehran that Saudi Arabia has allowed its airspace or assets to be used in the U.S.–Israeli coalition’s military operations against Iran. Riyadh categorically rejected these claims, clarifying that any military aircraft observed in its skies are conducting “routine air patrols” strictly for the defense of Saudi territory against incoming Iranian missiles and drones.
A Warning of Self-Destruction
The escalating tension comes as the war enters its second week, following the devastating February 28 strikes on Tehran that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Saudi officials warned that by expanding the conflict to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and other Arab nations, Tehran is courting a regional catastrophe that will ultimately harm Iran more than its targets.
“If the instability expands, Iran itself will suffer the greatest damage,” the ministry warned, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia reserves the “full right” to take all necessary measures to protect its citizens and territorial sovereignty.
Regional Defenses on High Alert
The Saudi statement coincides with reports of drone interceptions over the Shaybah oil field and similar defensive actions in the UAE and Bahrain. Despite the Iranian Presidency’s rhetorical attempts at de-escalation, the reality on the ground, driven by the Revolutionary Guard’s “True Promise 4” operation, suggests a leadership in Tehran that is either unable or unwilling to curb its military apparatus.
As smoke rises from intercepted projectiles over Riyadh and other Gulf capitals, the diplomatic rift between the two sides of the Persian Gulf appears wider than ever, threatening to dismantle years of fragile rapprochement.