Amid reports that the Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, influenced US President Donald Trump against mounting an attack on Iran, Riyadh has clarified its position to Tehran.
Saudi Arabia has informed Iran that it will not allow its airspace or territory to be used to attack it, two sources close to the kingdom's government told reporters. This comes as the US deploys its military assets in the Middle East, in anticipation of a potential conflict with Iran.
“Saudi Arabia has informed Tehran directly that it will not be part of any military action taken against it, and that its territory and airspace will not be used for that purpose,” a source close to the Saudi military said, adding that the message had been communicated to Tehran. The US has military assets in the Gulf, including in Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh has been taking a very strategic and safe approach in dealing with Tehran despite the long record of hostility toward Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom has so far refrained from publicly supporting the Iranian people’s struggle against the Islamic Republic.
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Meanwhile, Saudi officials have also rejected the claims that they influenced Trump against launching an attack on Iran. “Reports suggesting Saudi Arabia had advised the US against striking Iran are not true,” according to the official.
Earlier, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir was asked about the unrest in Iran and the prospect of a potential US attack, to which he tactically replied that the Kingdom was watching the situation closely. He also expressed hopes that tensions could be resolved in a way that would “minimize any kind of damage.”
Saudi commentator Ali Shihabi also denied that Riyadh was lobbying either for or against a strike on Iran. “Saudi Arabia did not get involved in this discussion one way or the other,” he wrote on X.
Meanwhile, a report by The Washington Post, a decisive factor that prompted Trump to walk back on his intention to attack Iran was a backchannel exchange between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The Iranian minister reportedly messaged Witkoff, committing to stop the killing and halt the scheduled execution of protesters.
