S’Arabia expels five Iranian diplomats over continued attacks

Saudi Arabia has expelled five Iranian diplomats, giving them 24 hours to leave the kingdom, in response to what it described as repeated Iranian attacks on its territory.

In a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry identified the officials as Iran’s military attaché, an assistant military attaché, and three other embassy staff.

The ministry said the move comes after continued Iranian aggression and warned that such attacks risk further damaging bilateral relations.

The country in a statement said, “These actions are a flagrant violation of all relevant international conventions, the principles of good neighbourliness, and respect for state sovereignty”.

Saudi Arabia also noted that the attacks breach the Beijing Agreement, UN Security Council Resolution 2817, and contradict the values of Islamic brotherhood and principles repeatedly cited by Iran, saying the nation’s statements are not reflected in its actions.

The kingdom stressed that the situation could have “significant consequences” for both current and future relations with Tehran.

Saudi authorities reported that the country has faced missile and drone strikes since the outbreak of the broader conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran.

This makes Saudi Arabia the second Gulf state to expel Iranian diplomats amid the escalating tensions, following Qatar’s similar action last week.

The conflict, which escalated after coordinated strikes on Iran in late February, has disrupted oil and gas exports in the region and raised security concerns for Gulf nations hosting US military forces.