Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan issued a sharp ultimatum to Iran on Wednesday, declaring that the Kingdom’s patience is not unlimited. Speaking after an emergency summit of Arab and Islamic ministers in Riyadh, he warned that Saudi Arabia reserves the right to take military action if Iran continues its aggression.
Iran’s recent aerial attacks targeted critical energy infrastructure, including Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas facility, the world’s largest LNG producer, and the UAE’s Habshan gas facility. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, which caused significant damage. Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had earlier threatened retaliation against Gulf oil and gas facilities in response to an Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field.
A Calculated Strategy, Not a Reaction
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence reported intercepting four Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh and two targeting the eastern region. In the UAE, air defenses dealt with 13 ballistic missiles and 27 drones, suspending operations at the Habshan facility due to debris from intercepted missiles.
Prince Faisal highlighted the precision of Iran’s attacks, suggesting suggesting that Tehran premeditated the strikes as part of a long-term strategy. “Iran did not react to evolving circumstances; they built this into their war planning.,” he stated. He warned that restoring trust with Iran will take considerable time, if it is possible at all, unless Tehran immediately halts its aggression.
The foreign minister underscored Saudi Arabia’s significant capabilities and those of its partners. “The patience we have shown is not unlimited,” he said. “We possess the means to respond decisively if Iran continues its provocations.”
Prince Faisal called on Iran to “recalculate” its strategy and cease targeting its neighbors. “I hope they understand the gravity of the situation and act swiftly to stop these attacks,” he concluded, expressing doubt about Iran’s willingness to do so.
