Iran envoy thanks Saudi Arabia for barring use of its territory in conflict
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Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia said Tehran values Riyadh’s commitment not to allow its territory to be used in the conflict involving the United States and Israel, while rejecting accusations that Iran carried out recent drone attacks inside the kingdom.
Alireza Enayati told AFP on Thursday that Saudi Arabia had repeatedly assured Iran that its airspace, waters and land would not be used against the Islamic Republic. He said Tehran appreciated those assurances.
Before fighting broke out, Saudi Arabia had backed diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Tehran and Washington. Saudi officials also stated that the kingdom would not permit its airspace to be used for strikes on Iran.
Enayati denied that Iran targeted the US embassy in Riyadh earlier this week, after Saudi authorities said the compound had been attacked by drones, triggering a fire. He said Iran had no role in the incident and maintained that when Tehran’s operations command carries out an attack, it publicly claims responsibility.
Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of launching missile and drone attacks on its territory and has warned that it reserves the right to defend itself, including through retaliation.
Riyadh also accused Tehran of targeting the Ras Tanura oil refinery, one of the largest in the Middle East, with drones on two occasions. Iran previously denied involvement in those incidents and Enayati reiterated that denial.
The conflict has spread across parts of the Gulf following US and Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader, prompting Tehran to launch attacks against Israel and other locations in the region.
Enayati said Iran was not pursuing a broader regional war, describing the conflict as one imposed on the region rather than initiated by Tehran.
