Saudi Crown Prince: We stand with our brotherly nations against Iran's threats

In a firm stance reflecting the constants of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy, the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, affirmed that the Kingdom stands wholeheartedly with its sister Arab countries in confronting security challenges and foreign interventions, foremost among them the Iranian attacks and threats aimed at destabilizing the region.

This statement comes in the context of Riyadh's continued emphasis that the security of the Gulf states and the Arab region is an integral part of the Kingdom's own security. The Crown Prince stressed that the Iranian regime continues to pose a direct threat to regional and international peace and security, whether through its controversial nuclear program, its development of ballistic missiles, or its support for armed militias operating outside the law in several Arab capitals.

Context of the conflict and historical background

Historically, Gulf-Iranian relations have been marked by persistent tensions due to Tehran's expansionist policies and attempts to export its revolution since 1979. This tension has manifested itself at several junctures, most notably Iran's support for armed groups in Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria, which has weakened the concept of the nation-state in those countries. Furthermore, direct attacks targeting the Kingdom's energy infrastructure, such as the 2019 attack on Aramco facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais, cannot be overlooked. International investigations have confirmed the involvement of Iranian-made weapons in these attacks.

The importance and impact of the Saudi position

This position is of great strategic importance on several levels:

• Locally and in the Gulf: This speech strengthens the cohesion of the Gulf Cooperation Council and emphasizes Saudi Arabia’s role as the de facto leader of the security system in the Arabian Peninsula, sending reassuring messages to the Gulf peoples that there is a deterrent force protecting their developmental gains.
• Regionally: This statement represents moral and political support for the Arab countries suffering from Iranian influence, confirming that the Arab world will not be left alone in the face of these ambitions.
• Internationally: Saudi Arabia is placing the international community before its responsibilities, stressing that the security of waterways and global energy supplies is linked to stopping Tehran’s hostile behavior, which calls for a firm international stance to prevent the spread of chaos.

In conclusion, the Saudi position remains firm in calling for relations based on good neighborliness and respect for national sovereignty, but this is contingent on Iran changing its hostile behavior and ceasing its support for terrorism and destabilization in the region.