Saudi Arabia Warns Iran That Continued Attacks Could Trigger Response, Sources Say

RIYADH, March 8 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia has warned Iran that continued attacks on the kingdom and its energy infrastructure could trigger retaliation, while reiterating that Riyadh supports a diplomatic settlement to Tehran’s conflict with the United States, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The message was delivered ahead of remarks by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who apologised to neighbouring Gulf states following Iranian strikes that hit civilian targets in the region.

Two days earlier, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and conveyed Riyadh’s position, the sources said.

Saudi Arabia remains open to mediation aimed at de-escalation and a negotiated settlement, while emphasising that neither the kingdom nor other Gulf states had allowed U.S. forces to use their territory, airspace or waters to launch strikes against Iran.

At the same time, the sources said Riyadh warned that persistent Iranian attacks on Saudi territory or critical energy infrastructure could compel the kingdom to permit U.S. forces to use bases in Saudi Arabia for military operations. The kingdom would also respond if its energy facilities continued to be targeted.

Saudi and Iranian diplomats have remained in contact since the conflict intensified following the collapse of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme. The Saudi and Iranian foreign ministries did not respond to requests for comment from Reuters.

Drone and missile attacks across Gulf states

Over the past week, several Gulf states – including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia – have reported drone and missile attacks launched from Iran.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the conflict. Tehran subsequently launched strikes against Israel and Gulf states hosting U.S. military installations, while Israel targeted the Iran-backed group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Araqchi said in an interview that he remained in contact with Saudi officials and that Riyadh had assured Tehran it would not allow its territory, waters or airspace to be used for attacks against Iran.

Pezeshkian said Iran’s temporary leadership council had approved suspending attacks on neighbouring countries unless those states were involved in strikes against Iran.

“I personally apologise to neighbouring countries that were affected by Iran’s actions,” he said.

However, it remains unclear whether the statement signals a shift in policy, as reports of additional strikes against Gulf states emerged on Saturday.

Mixed signals from Tehran

Iran’s Khatam al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters, the unified command of the country’s armed forces, said in a statement that U.S. and Israeli bases and interests across the region would remain targets.

The command said Iranian forces respected the sovereignty of neighbouring countries and had not taken action against them so far, but warned that U.S. and Israeli military assets in the region would face “powerful and heavy” strikes.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a social media post that Iran had apologised to its Middle East neighbours and pledged to stop attacks against them.

Two Iranian sources confirmed that a call took place in which Saudi Arabia warned Tehran to halt attacks on the kingdom and neighbouring Gulf states. Iranian officials reiterated that the strikes were intended to target U.S. military interests in the region rather than Gulf countries themselves.

According to the sources, Tehran also called for the closure of U.S. bases in the region and accused some Gulf states of sharing intelligence with Washington.

Iran had in recent years improved relations with Gulf neighbours, including Saudi Arabia, after years of rivalry. That diplomatic progress has been severely strained following the wave of drone and missile attacks launched by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in recent days.