US Air Force: Missile Targeting Saudis Was Iranian

In this Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, photo released by Saudi Press Agency, SPA, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, meets with French President Emmanuel Macron upon his arrival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Saudi Press Agency)
In this Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, photo released by Saudi Press Agency, SPA, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, meets with French President Emmanuel Macron upon his arrival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Saudi Press Agency)
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US Air Force: Missile Targeting Saudis Was Iranian

In this Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, photo released by Saudi Press Agency, SPA, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, meets with French President Emmanuel Macron upon his arrival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Saudi Press Agency)
In this Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, photo released by Saudi Press Agency, SPA, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, meets with French President Emmanuel Macron upon his arrival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Saudi Press Agency)

The ballistic missile launched from Yemen that targeted the Saudi capital was from Iran, a senior US Air Force official said on Friday.

Lt. Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, who oversees the Air Forces Central Command in Qatar, made the comments at a news conference in Dubai.

The projectile, which was downed near the airport of the Saudi capital bore “Iranian markings,” according to Harrigian, who added that authorities were investigating how the missile was smuggled into Yemen amid a Saudi-led coalition controlling the country’s airspace, ports and borders.

After the Nov. 4 strike near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said investigators examining the remains of the rocket found evidence proving “the role of Iranian regime in manufacturing them.” It also said that it found similar evidence after a July 22 missile launch.

French President Emmanuel Macron, in his turn, described the missile as “obviously” Iranian.

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, said in a statement Tuesday that the July launch involved an Iranian Qiam-1, a liquid-fueled, short-range Scud missile variant. Iran used a Qiam-1 in combat for the first time in June when it targeted ISIS group militants in Syria over twin militant attacks in Tehran.



Saudi FM Holds Separate Phone Talks with Counterparts from Iraq, Greece, Cyprus, and Spain

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Saudi FM Holds Separate Phone Talks with Counterparts from Iraq, Greece, Cyprus, and Spain

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call on Saturday from Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein.

The two officials discussed regional developments, with a particular focus on the Israeli military operations targeting Iran and their broader regional implications, the Saudi Press Agency said Saturday.

The Saudi minister also held separate phone conversations with Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares. Both discussions centered on the latest regional developments and their impact on regional and international security and stability.

Additionally, the Saudi minister spoke with Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos. The two sides reviewed the situation in the region and emphasized the importance of de-escalation and the pursuit of diplomatic solutions.