Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia denies attacks on its oil facilities | US-Israel war on Iran News
Iran’s Diplomatic Relations with Saudi Arabia Show Positive Signs, Says Ambassador
Alireza Enayati, Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, stated that diplomatic relations between the two countries are developing in a “natural” manner and confirmed he is in direct communication with Saudi officials. These remarks were made as tensions continue to escalate in the region due to ongoing conflicts.
Enayati dismissed allegations that Iran is responsible for recent attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure, asserting that if Iran had conducted such strikes, it would have publicly acknowledged its involvement. However, he refrained from speculating on who may have carried out the attacks. He emphasized that Iran’s current military actions are focused solely on U.S. and Israeli targets amid the ongoing conflict, as reported by Reuters.
Following assaults on Iran by U.S. and Israeli forces in late February, Tehran has retaliated against military installations associated with these countries, including assets in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates.
Recent incidents include a fire at the Ras Tanura oil refinery, which was forced to halt operations due to debris from a drone, alongside attempted attacks on the Shaybah oilfield near the UAE border. To date, the Saudi Defense Ministry has not assigned blame for these incidents.
Enayati described his dialogue with Saudi officials as encouraging, indicating that discussions have centered around Saudi Arabia’s commitment to ensuring that its territory will not be used for attacks against Iran. He declined to provide further details on these discussions.
The two nations re-established diplomatic ties in 2023, a move facilitated by China, marking a significant shift in their historically hostile relationship.
Enayati underscored the necessity for regional cooperation, stating, “We are neighbors, and we cannot do without each other.” He advocated for a reevaluation of relationships, suggesting that past tensions stem from an overreliance on external powers.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi supported Enayati’s statements, denying any targeting of civilian or residential areas in the region and expressing Iran’s willingness to engage in discussions with its neighbors to investigate recent strikes.
The UAE, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020, has been notably affected by Iranian attacks, with significant strikes on U.S. bases and oil facilities reported.
While regional nations have condemned Iran’s missile and drone assaults, frustrations are rising over U.S. involvement in escalating tensions that many Gulf countries feel they did not consent to.
Enayati called for an end to U.S. and Israeli military actions and for international security guarantees to prevent future conflicts. Paul Musgrave, an associate professor at Georgetown University in Qatar, remarked that the U.S. administration has lost considerable influence in the region, describing its approach as poorly planned and misaligned with the realities on the ground.
Iran’s strategy appears to focus not solely on military might but on endurance amid ongoing pressures, according to Musgrave’s analysis.
