Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], March 22 (ANI): The Saudi Ministry of Defence said it intercepted and neutralised multiple aerial threats, reporting that forces “intercepted and downed four more drones over the Eastern Province.” The action follows a series of attempted strikes on key residential and economic areas.
The latest defensive measure came hours after the military announced it had shot down a ballistic missile over Riyadh. Saudi authorities said the incidents occurred amid what they described as repeated attacks by Iran targeting Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states during the wider conflict involving the United States and Israel.
Early on the morning of the incident, the Saudi Civil Defence issued a public warning about a potential aerial threat but cancelled the alert seven minutes later after officials assessed that the danger had passed.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally condemned what it called “blatant Iranian attacks” against the Kingdom, GCC members and other Arab and Islamic countries, in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency. The ministry said Iran’s “continued targeting” of Saudi sovereignty, civilian objects, civilians, economic interests and diplomatic premises amounted to a “flagrant violation of all relevant international conventions,” breaching principles of good neighbourliness, the Beijing Agreement and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817.
The ministry added that Iran’s military actions contradict the “principles of Islamic brotherhood” and the values Tehran espouses. Recalling a March 9 declaration, Saudi officials warned such aggression risks further escalation with serious consequences for present and future relations.
In response, Riyadh declared the military attache of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the assistant military attache and three mission staff members personae non gratae, ordering them to leave the Kingdom within 24 hours. The Kingdom stressed it will “not hesitate to take all necessary measures” to preserve its sovereignty and protect its security, invoking Article 51 of the UN Charter to affirm its right to defend its territory, airspace, citizens, residents, resources and interests. (ANI)
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