RIYADH: (Click Pakistan) Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman assured Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that the kingdom will not allow use of its land or airspace for any military action against Iran, signalling Riyadh’s effort to stay clear of escalating regional tensions.
According to a statement from Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry, the Crown Prince stressed the kingdom’s respect for Iran’s sovereignty and reiterated its opposition to any attacks launched from Saudi territory. He also emphasised Riyadh’s support for diplomatic solutions and dialogue as the preferred way of resolving disputes in the region.
The comments were made by phone between the two leaders on Tuesday, as regional anxieties grow amid increased U.S. military activity in the Middle East.
During the conversation, Pezeshkian said pressure and threats from Washington would only increase instability. He said U.S. rhetoric and psychological tactics were designed to undermine regional security and would eventually prove counterproductive.
The Iranian president emphasised that unity among Islamic countries was necessary for the long-term peace and stability of the Middle East. He added that Tehran is open to any initiative, based on international law, that could help to prevent conflict.
The call came as the United States announced plans for a massive, multi-day Air Force exercise in the region. The drills are designed to show Washington’s capability to use and sustain combat airpower in the Middle East, according to the U.S. Air Force component of Central Command. Officials did not reveal the time and place of the exercise.
Saudi Arabia’s position puts it in the same camp as the United Arab Emirates, which issued a similar statement earlier this week. On Jan. 26, the UAE said it will not permit its airspace, land or waters to be used for hostile actions against Iran and will not provide logistical support for such operations.
The UAE is home to thousands of U.S. military personnel at Al Dhafra Air Base near Abu Dhabi, one of several American installations in the Gulf. Emirati officials said dialogue, de-escalation and respect for sovereignty are the best means for dealing with ongoing crises.
Tensions have been high as U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran over its treatment of the protests, at one point hinting at the possibility of military action. However, he later backed down on ordering strikes, saying Tehran had eased executions under U.S. pressure.
Protests in Iran broke out in late December over economic hardships and escalated in early January, with large demonstrations hitting the international spotlight.
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