Iran Calls for Gulf Ties Review, Denies Saudi Attacks

Gulf Countries – (Web Desk) – Iran says its relationship with Gulf countries may need a serious rethink after the recent US and Israeli war against Iran. Tehran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, told Reuters on Sunday that the situation has raised important questions about regional ties.

Enayati said countries in the region are neighbors and must find ways to work together. He explained that Gulf nations and Iran cannot ignore each other. Because of this, he believes a careful review of relations is necessary.

The ambassador also said the region has suffered for many years because countries depended too much on outside powers. He called for stronger cooperation between members of the Gulf Cooperation Council along with Iraq and Iran.

Since the war began on February 28, Gulf countries have faced more than 2,000 missile and drone attacks. Some strikes targeted US diplomatic offices and military bases. Others hit oil facilities, ports, airports, and hotels across the region.

The United Arab Emirates has faced many of these attacks. The country had earlier restored relations with Israel in 2020. Other Gulf states have also been affected and have strongly criticized Iran.

At the same time, some analysts say Gulf leaders are also unhappy with the United States. They believe the conflict has pulled the region into a war they did not support, while their economies and security now face the consequences.

In Saudi Arabia, several attacks have taken place in the eastern region where most of the country’s oil is produced. Strikes were also reported near Prince Sultan Airbase, where US forces are based, and the Diplomatic Quarter in the capital city of Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia and Iran restored full diplomatic relations in 2023 after years of tension. Despite the recent violence, both sides had been working to improve ties.

Enayati denied that Iran carried out attacks on Saudi oil sites, including the Ras Tanura refinery and attempted drone strikes on the Shaybah oil field near the UAE border. He said if Iran had carried out such attacks, it would have openly admitted it.

According to the ambassador, Iran’s military actions are only aimed at US and Israeli targets and their interests. Saudi defense officials have not publicly blamed any specific group for the recent attacks.

Enayati said he personally was in ongoing contact with Saudi officials, with relations “progressing naturally” in many areas. He highlighted Saudi cooperation regarding the departure of Iranians who were in the kingdom for religious pilgrimage and the provision of medical assistance to others.

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He said Tehran was in contact with Riyadh regarding Saudi Arabia’s publicly stated position that its land, sea and air would not be used to attack Iran, without elaborating on the discussions.

His message to Gulf states was that the war “has been imposed on us and the region.”

To resolve the conflict, the US and Israel must halt their attacks and regional countries should not be involved, while international guarantees must be secured to prevent their recurrence, he said.

“Only then can we focus on building a prosperous region,” he said.