Saudi Arabia condemns Israel strikes on Iran, warning against regional conflict

Saudi Arabia has condemned Israel’s strikes on Iran, warning that it risks significantly escalating tensions and conflict in the region.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, Israel launched several waves of strikes on military sites across Iran such as air defence batteries and ballistic missile manufacturing facilities, in what Tel Aviv called “precise strikes”.

Following the attack, however, many world leaders condemned the strikes, calling on calm in the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. Saudi Arabia was one of those states, condemning the attack in a Foreign Ministry statement as a “violation of its [Iran’s] sovereignty” and of international laws and norms.

Without mentioning Israel by name, the ministry reiterated the kingdom’s stance against continued and growing escalation in the region, warning against the expansion of conflicts that endanger regional security and stability.

Urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to work to de-escalate tensions, Riyadh also called on the international community – as well as influential parties – to fulfil their roles and responsibilities in reducing such tensions and in ending conflicts in the region.

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