Iranian Envoy To Saudi Arabia Claims Tehran’s ‘Enemies’ Responsible For Attacks On Gulf

The Iranian ambassador to Saudi Arabia posted a message on X on Sunday claiming the US and Israel were launching attacks on illegitimate targets in neighboring countries, shifting blame away from Tehran.

Alireza Enayati shared a notice attributed to Iran’s military command, which said “the enemy” was using drones “disguised as a Shahed (an Iranian-made drone) under the name Lucas drone.”

The post denied Iran had been responsible for attacks on neighboring Gulf states, adding that Tehran was only targeting interests of the US and Israel in the region in retaliation for attacks on its territory.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran only attacks targets, centers, and interests of the United States and the Zionist entity, and will bear responsibility for any place it targets by issuing an official statement,” the message added.

Regional authorities say thousands of Iranian missiles and drones have been launched toward the Gulf since the conflict began in late February, with many aimed at US military assets but also affecting airports, ports, energy infrastructure and civilian areas in Gulf countries.

The envoy’s post was met with a number of critical responses from users who questioned why Tehran had not clarified its position earlier if it believed other actors were responsible.

One commenter wrote that the ambassador’s remarks appeared to contradict statements by Iran’s military leadership.

Another suggested even attacks aimed at US military facilities in the region would place Gulf countries at risk and that missiles or drones launched toward such locations could endanger nearby cities and civilian infrastructure.

A third hit out at what they described as conflicting messaging from Iranian officials, while also questioning whether a woman and child killed in Bahrain and Kuwait respectively had been American targets.

On Wednesday, the UN Security Council adopted a draft resolution condemning Iran’s attacks on Gulf countries and Jordan and demanding that Tehran immediately halt hostilities.

Thirteen of the 15 members of the council voted in favor of the resolution, which was sponsored by the Gulf Cooperation Council and co-sponsored by 135 other UN member states, reflecting broad international backing for the measure.

Speaking to Reuters on Sunday, Enayati said Iran’s relations with Arab ​Gulf states will require a “serious review” in light of the war, limiting the power of external actors so ‌the region can become prosperous.

He reiterated that Iran was not responsible for attacks on Saudi oil facilities at Ras Tanura and Shaybah.

Asked if he was concerned that relations would be harmed by the war, he said: “It’s a valid question, and the answer may be simple. We are neighbors and we cannot do without each other; we will need a serious review.”

He continued: “What the ​region has witnessed over the past five decades is the result of an exclusionary approach (within the region) and an excessive reliance ​on external powers.”

He also called for deeper ties between the GCC’s ⁠six members, along with Iraq and Iran.

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.

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.

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 added.