Saudi Arabia condemns the Iranian attack and affirms its solidarity with neighboring countries
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its strong condemnation of the Iranian aggression that violated the sovereignty of several brotherly Arab states, affirming its full solidarity and unwavering support for the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. This stance follows the recent military escalation in the region, which saw Iran launch a large number of drones and missiles toward Israel, passing through the airspace of neighboring countries.
Background of the escalation and its historical context
This attack is part of a series of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, which reached a peak after Israel targeted the Iranian consulate in Damascus in early April 2014, killing senior commanders in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Iran vowed to retaliate for this attack, which it considered a violation of its sovereignty and a breach of international law. The Iranian response represents a shift in the rules of engagement, marking the first direct attack launched by Iran from its own territory against Israel after years of a “shadow war” waged through proxies in the region.
The importance and impact of the Saudi position
The Saudi condemnation carries significant weight both regionally and internationally. Regionally, it reinforces the principle of shared Gulf and Arab solidarity in confronting any threats to the region's security and stability. The Kingdom's emphasis on providing all its resources to support its sister nations reflects its commitment to the concept of collective security and sends a clear message that any attack on the sovereignty of one of these countries is an attack on the security of all. It also highlights the precarious situation in which countries like Jordan found themselves, forced to deal with missiles and drones that violated their airspace, constituting a blatant infringement on their sovereignty and a threat to the safety of their citizens.
International dimensions and the call for restraint
Internationally, Saudi Arabia's position aligns with global calls for de-escalation and preventing the region from sliding into a full-blown war with potentially disastrous consequences for international peace and security. The Kingdom has warned of the grave repercussions of continued violations of state sovereignty and the principles of international law, urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint. This stance reinforces Saudi diplomacy, which seeks to promote regional stability, resolve conflicts through dialogue, and spare the region further crises that could impact the global economy and energy supplies.
