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Saudi Arabia has “reserved the right to take military actions” against Iran, FM says
By Dalia Abdelwahab and Lex Harvey
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud chairs a consultative meeting of foreign ministers from a group of Arab and Islamic countries in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, Thursday, March 19.
Baraa Anwer/AP
Saudi Arabia has “reserved the right to take military actions” against Iran if deemed necessary, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told reporters Thursday after a meeting with Arab and Islamic foreign ministers about Iranian attacks in the region.
“Iran’s message today was quite clear… The targeting of Riyadh, while a number of diplomats are meeting, I cannot see as coincidental,” the Foreign Minister said, hours after Saudi air defenses intercepted ballistic missiles over the capital.
“It doesn’t believe in talking to its neighbors. It tries to pressure its neighbors. And what I can say, categorically, that’s not going to work.”
Saudi Arabia “is not going to succumb to pressure,” bin Farhan added, saying the pressure will “backfire.”
“We have reserved the right to take military actions, if deemed necessary, and if the time comes, the leadership of the Kingdom will take the necessary decision. We will not shy away from protecting our country and our economic resources.”
Iran turned its attention to attacks on energy facilities in the region Wednesday after accusing the US and Israel of targeting oil and gas facilities – including the South Pars natural gas field, the world’s largest.
Two refineries in Riyadh “were attacked,” bin Farhan said. An Iranian missile strike also caused “extensive damage” at Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, a key natural gas processing facility.
Global oil prices surged, hitting $110 per barrel, as the sthrikes on energy infrastructure across the Middle East jolted markets.
