PM Shehbaz condemns attack on Riyadh in call with Saudi Crown Prince

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after Saudi Arabia confirmed that Iranian missiles targeted Riyadh and the kingdom’s Eastern Province amid escalating regional tensions.

“I spoke with my dear brother HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman this evening to express Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the dangerous regional escalation following the Israeli attack on Iran and subsequent attacks in the Gulf region. Pakistan stands in full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and our brotherly Gulf countries in this perilous time. We remain ready to play a constructive role for peace and pray that the blessings of Ramadan bring calm and stability to our region,” the prime minister said in a tweet.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia strongly condemned what it described as Iranian attacks on Riyadh and the Eastern Province, saying the strikes were repelled.

In a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry termed the incident a “blatant and cowardly” attack and said the kingdom reserved the right to defend its security, territory, citizens and residents, including by responding to the aggression.

The escalation follows coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran earlier in the day.

US President Donald Trump said the operation was aimed at ending what he called a security threat to the United States.

Tehran described the attacks as unprovoked and illegal and responded by launching missiles toward Israel and several Gulf states hosting American military bases.

Explosions were reported over Riyadh as well as in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha and Manama.

In Bahrain’s Juffair area, which houses a major US naval base, plumes of smoke were seen rising following reported impacts.

In the United Arab Emirates, one civilian was killed in Abu Dhabi after being struck by falling debris, the defence ministry said.

The UAE described the incident as a “dangerous escalation” and said its air defence systems intercepted several Iranian ballistic missiles.

“The United Arab Emirates was subjected today to a blatant attack by Iranian ballistic missiles,” the ministry said, adding that its air defences responded “with high efficiency”.

The UAE hosts US forces at Al Dhafra air base.

In Qatar, multiple explosions were heard in the capital Doha. The defence ministry said it had repelled a number of attacks.

Qatar is home to Al Udeid air base, the region’s largest US military facility and a key hub for the US Central Command.

Witnesses in Dubai also reported hearing a large explosion and seeing missiles streak across the night sky.

The oil- and gas-rich Gulf monarchies, long-standing US allies, have found themselves at the centre of the rapidly widening conflict following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory response.