Khaberni - Four sources told Reuters that Saudi Arabia informed Tehran that despite preferring a diplomatic settlement of the Iranian-American conflict, the continuation of attacks on the Kingdom and its energy sector might compel Riyadh to respond.
The sources said that Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke to his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi two days before Bzshkiyan's speech, clearly outlining Riyadh's stance.
The sources relayed from Prince Faisal that Saudi Arabia is open to any form of mediation aimed at de-escalating tensions and reaching a settlement through negotiations, emphasizing that Riyadh and other Gulf states have not allowed the United States to use their airspace or territories to launch aerial raids on Iran.
The sources also quoted the minister saying that if these Iranian attacks on Saudi territories or its energy infrastructure continue, Riyadh would be forced to allow American forces to use its bases there to carry out military operations.
He added that Riyadh would respond if the targeting of its vital energy facilities in the Kingdom continues.
The sources indicated that Saudi Arabia has maintained regular contact with Tehran through its ambassador since the beginning of the American and Israeli military campaign against Iran on February 28 following the collapse of negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program.
The agency reported that this warning came before a speech delivered by Iranian President Masoud Bzshkiyan on Saturday, in which he apologized to the neighboring Gulf states.
The Iranian president offered an apology to the Gulf states in an important speech on Saturday morning, affirming that Tehran will stop launching any attacks on its neighbors unless these attacks originate from those states.
On TV, he directly apologized: "I personally apologize to the neighboring countries that were attacked from Iran.. We do not intend to attack the neighboring states and as I have repeatedly said, they are our brothers."
He added that the Tripartite Leadership Council, which temporarily governs Iran, "has instructed the armed forces that from now on no attack should be launched on neighboring countries or missiles dropped on them unless these countries want to attack us."
He believes that "this issue needs to be resolved through diplomacy rather than fighting and causing problems with neighboring countries.
He urged the Gulf countries not to become "a tool in the hands of imperialism," warning them against attacking Iranian territories.
It remains unclear whether the president's announcement will take immediate effect, as after the speech, aircraft interception operations continued over the Emirates, and alarm sirens sounded in Bahrain, while Saudi Arabia intercepted several drones.
Since the beginning of the war, the Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia have been subjected to intense Iranian bombing with drones and missiles.
