Saudi Arabia Expels Iranian Military Attache and Four Embassy Staff Members

Saudi Arabia Orders Iranian Diplomats to Leave Country

In a move announced by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, Iran’s military attache and embassy staff have been given 24 hours to leave the kingdom due to “repeated Iranian attacks” on its territory. The decision was made in response to what the ministry described as “hostile actions” taken by Iranian forces.

According to the statement, Saudi Arabia has declared personae non gratae the military attache of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Kingdom, the assistant military attache, and three members of the mission staff. This move comes amid heightened tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which have been exacerbated by recent conflicts in the region.

The decision follows a series of attacks on Saudi Arabian territory, including energy facilities and civilian hubs, as well as the disruption of oil loadings at the Red Sea port of Yanbu. The port is the only export outlet for Saudi Arabia after Iranian forces blocked tanker traffic leaving the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud had previously stated that trust in Iran had been “shattered”, asserting his country’s right to defend itself. The ministry has also warned that continued Iranian attacks would lead to further escalation and have significant consequences for current and future relations with Iran.

This move is not the first time Saudi Arabia has taken action against Iranian diplomats, following Qatar’s decision earlier this week to declare the Iranian Embassy’s military and security attaches in Doha as personae non gratae.

Source: Al Jazeera