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Houthi Attacks against Saudi Arabia Are Widely Condemned

Vehicles are damaged in the Houthi attacks.
Vehicles are damaged in the Houthi attacks.
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Houthi Attacks against Saudi Arabia Are Widely Condemned

Vehicles are damaged in the Houthi attacks.
Vehicles are damaged in the Houthi attacks.

Several Arab countries and Islamic organizations condemned on Sunday the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen for attacking civilian facilities in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-led Arab coalition announced on Saturday that it had destroyed four armed drones fired by the militias towards the southern region of the Kingdom.

It revealed that the attack targeted a desalination plant in al-Shuqaiq and an Aramco facility in Jazan.

The coalition also announced the interception and downing of a Houthi ballistic missile fired towards civilian locations in Jazan city.

Bahrain slammed the Houthis for launching a ballistic missile at Jazan city and drones against southern Saudi Arabia.

The foreign ministry deemed the attacks a violation of international humanitarian laws and demonstrates the Houthis' insistence on pursuing their "heinous hostile attacks."

It said Manama stands in complete solidarity with Riyadh and all the measures it takes to ensure the security and stability of the Kingdom's citizens and residents.

Egypt strongly condemned the Houthi attacks, saying they were a "grave escalation, flagrant violation of the security and sovereignty of the Kingdom and direct threat to the security and stability of the region."

The foreign ministry stressed its solidarity with the Kingdom and the measures it takes to confront these persistent "cowardly hostile attacks."

Jordan joined the chorus of condemnations, saying it firmly stands by Saudi Arabia in confronting everything that threatens its security.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation strongly condemned the militias for targeting civilian locations and economic facilities in Saudi Arabia.

OIC Secretary-General Hissein Ibrahim Taha reiterated the organization's condemnation of the Houthis' criminal practices, saying it supports all the measures Saudi Arabia takes to protect its territories, citizens and residents and economic installations.

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Gulf

Iranian Ambassador: Saudi Arabia Played Key Role in Preventing Escalation

The meeting between Prince Khalid bin Salman and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran last April (Fars News Agency) 
The meeting between Prince Khalid bin Salman and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran last April (Fars News Agency) 
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Iranian Ambassador: Saudi Arabia Played Key Role in Preventing Escalation

The meeting between Prince Khalid bin Salman and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran last April (Fars News Agency) 
The meeting between Prince Khalid bin Salman and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran last April (Fars News Agency) 

Nearly two years after Iran and Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic relations, Iran’s Ambassador to the Kingdom, Dr. Alireza Enayati, praised Riyadh’s role in reducing tensions and fostering dialogue.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Enayati described the progress as “equivalent to achievements that typically take years,” underscoring what he called the “deep roots and substance” of the relationship.

Enayati, who first served in Saudi Arabia as Iran’s consul in Jeddah in 1990 and later as chargé d’affaires in Riyadh, returned in 2023 as ambassador following the March agreement brokered by China to resume ties after seven years of rupture.

Commenting on recent Israeli strikes against Iran, Enayati called the attacks “blatant aggression,” noting that they took place while Tehran was engaged in indirect negotiations with Washington.

“Iran was attacked in the middle of the night, while people slept in their homes. It was our legitimate right under the UN Charter to respond decisively and demonstrate that while Iran does not seek war, it will defend itself with strength and resolve,” he said.

He emphasized that regional reactions to the escalation highlighted a spirit of solidarity.

“The first call our Foreign Minister received was from Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, condemning the attacks, followed by a statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry,” he noted. “These positions were crowned by a phone call from His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to President Pezeshkian, expressing condemnation and solidarity, followed by President Pezeshkian’s call back to the Crown Prince and statements of support from several Gulf states.”

Enayati commended Riyadh’s efforts to de-escalate the crisis, describing Saudi Arabia’s role as “honorable” and “blessed.” He added, “In all our bilateral discussions, Iran has acknowledged the Kingdom’s constructive stance and its efforts to prevent further aggression. We welcome any role by our Saudi brothers, especially His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed, who has always stood by us.”

The ambassador pointed to the revival of travel and religious exchange as a sign of rapprochement. “This year alone, over 200,000 Iranians have performed Umrah, and when including Hajj pilgrims, the number exceeds 400,000 visitors to the Kingdom - an extremely positive indicator,” he said.

Enayati also highlighted the recent visit of Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to Tehran, describing it as a “historic turning point” that shifted relations from routine to strategic. “The visit and the meetings with President Pezeshkian and the Supreme Leader left a strong impression that we are partners in building regional stability,” he said.

While acknowledging significant progress, Enayati stressed that economic and trade relations still require more effort. “We have agreements on trade, investment, culture, and youth reaffirmed in the Beijing accord,” he said, adding that talks are under way on agreements to avoid double taxation, promote mutual investment, and develop overland transport corridors linking Saudi Arabia and its neighbors to Central Asia.

Responding to criticism that Iran plays a destabilizing role, Enayati said: “We are not outsiders imposing our presence. We are part of the region, its people, and its culture. Differences in political perspectives do not erase our shared bonds. Dialogue is the only path forward, and there is no substitute.”

He concluded by emphasizing that genuine regional security must be anchored in development and economic cooperation rather than military competition. “When security moves beyond weapons and geopolitics to focus on prosperity and shared progress, everyone benefits,” he said.