Saudi Arabia has ordered Iran’s military attaché, the assistant military attaché and three embassy staff to leave the country within 24 hours as Iran continues strikes on Gulf states.
The Saudi foreign ministry announced the expulsions early Sunday, saying Iran’s ongoing attacks amount to a “flagrant violation” of international conventions and contradict “the principles of Islamic brotherhood.” The ministry also warned against further escalation.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has notified the military attaché of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Kingdom, the assistant military attaché, and three members of the mission staff to leave the Kingdom,” the ministry said.
Saudi Arabia declared the five Iranian officials “personae non gratae,” meaning they are no longer welcome in the host country, setting a new stage for the widening conflict.
Naija News gathered that hours after the announcement, the Saudi defence ministry detected three ballistic missiles fired at the capital Riyadh.
Additionally, the expulsions mark a significant deterioration in relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran as the conflict between Tehran and the United States and Israel enters its fourth week.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, along with other Gulf nations, has faced Iranian missile and drone strikes despite not being directly involved in the conflict between Iran and America and Israel.
In addition to the escalating conflict, the United States President Donald Trump threatened Saturday to destroy Iranian power plants if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, setting a Monday evening deadline.
The Saudi expulsions demonstrate growing frustration among Gulf states over Iranian strikes targeting their territories as collateral damage in the broader regional conflict.
