After UAE, Saudi Arabia rules out military use of its airspace against Iran

WEB DESK: Saudi Arabia will not permit its airspace or territory to be used for any military operation against Iran, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

The Saudi position echoes a recent declaration by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which also said it would not allow its airspace or territorial waters to be used for military action against Iran.

The message was conveyed during a phone call between the two leaders, in which the Saudi crown prince emphasised Riyadh’s backing for initiatives aimed at easing tensions through dialogue, saying such efforts were essential for strengthening regional security and stability.

Iranian media earlier reported that President Pezeshkian, in the same conversation, said Tehran welcomed any process conducted within the bounds of international law that could help avert conflict.

Speculation about possible military escalation involving Iran has intensified in recent days after US President Donald Trump said an “armada” was moving toward the country, while adding that he hoped force would not be necessary. His remarks were framed as warnings against the killing of protesters and a potential resumption of Iran’s nuclear programme. Large-scale demonstrations across Iran have since subsided.

On Monday, two US officials told Reuters that a US aircraft carrier, along with accompanying warships, had reached the Middle East, enhancing Washington’s capacity to protect its forces in the region or, if required, carry out military operations against Iran.

Iran has experienced widespread unrest in recent months, with human rights organisations alleging that security forces killed thousands of people, including civilians not involved in protests. The groups describe the crackdown as the most severe since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iranian authorities, however, have rejected these claims, attributing the violence to what they describe as “terrorists and rioters” supported by opposition groups abroad.