Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], March 22 (ANI): The Saudi Ministry of Defence said its forces intercepted and destroyed a drone that was heading toward the kingdom’s eastern region.
The military said the aerial threat was neutralised before reaching its intended target. The eastern area is strategically vital as it contains the majority of Saudi Arabia’s oil resources.
Earlier, the ministry reported it had downed additional aerial threats, saying it “intercepted and downed four more drones over the Eastern Province” in actions to protect key residential and economic centres. The latest actions came hours after the ministry announced it had shot down a ballistic missile over Riyadh.
These incidents come amid heightened regional tensions, with Iran accused of repeatedly targeting Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states in the context of the wider conflict involving the United States and Israel.
During the early hours, the Saudi Civil Defence issued an alert to the public that was cancelled seven minutes later after authorities determined the danger had passed.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the Kingdom’s “unequivocal condemnation” of what it described as “blatant Iranian attacks” on Saudi Arabia and other GCC members. In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said Iran’s “continued targeting” of Saudi sovereignty and economic interests constitutes a “flagrant violation of all relevant international conventions,” breaches the “principles of good neighbourliness,” the “Beijing Agreement,” and “United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817.”
Riyadh said Tehran’s military actions contradict the “principles of Islamic brotherhood” it often cites and warned that such aggression “will lead to further escalation” with “serious consequences for relations at present and in the future.”
As a result, Saudi Arabia declared the military attache of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the assistant military attache, and three mission staff personae non gratae and ordered them to leave the country within 24 hours.
Invoking Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, Riyadh affirmed it would “not hesitate to take all necessary measures” to protect its territory, citizens, and resources. (ANI)
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