Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on Thursday warned that the Kingdom’s patience in response to escalating Iranian attacks “is not unlimited,” indicating that military action remains a possible option as Arab and Islamic nations jointly urged Tehran to end its aggression.
According to Arab News, after an emergency meeting of foreign ministers in Riyadh, Prince Faisal said Saudi Arabia and its allies possess strong capabilities and would not tolerate prolonged escalation. He declined to specify a timeline, saying restraint could last “a day, two days, or a week,” but emphasised that it would not continue indefinitely.
In some of his remarks since tensions began rising, the Saudi foreign minister stated that the Kingdom reserves the right to take military action if necessary, warning that continued Iranian escalation would have serious political and moral consequences. He added that the limited trust rebuilt with Iran following the restoration of diplomatic ties in 2023 has now been completely destroyed, cautioning that further attacks could eliminate any remaining prospects for stable relations.
The ministers condemned missile and drone strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, airports, residential neighbourhoods, and diplomatic sites and said such actions cannot be justified under any circumstances. They also affirmed the right of affected countries to defend themselves under Article 51 of the UN Charter and urged Iran to comply with international law and reduce tensions.
Prince Faisal said the strikes appeared to have been planned in advance and accused Iran of carrying out deliberate hostile actions against neighbouring countries, both directly and through regional proxy groups. He also confirmed that two Saudi oil refineries were targeted, contradicting earlier Iranian claims that only US-related assets were struck.
“Iran has not engaged with its neighbours in a spirit of cooperation but with hostility,” he said, adding that Gulf states have repeatedly called on Tehran to stop supporting armed groups and ensure maritime security.
The ministers also warned against threats to international shipping routes, urging Iran to avoid actions that could disrupt navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb — two of the world’s most vital maritime passages.
Despite the rising tensions, Prince Faisal said Saudi Arabia still prefers a diplomatic solution but cautioned that continued attacks could close the door to de-escalation.
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