In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said the targeting of Saudi sovereignty, civilian infrastructure, diplomatic missions and economic interests constituted a breach of international norms. It added that the actions violated the Beijing Agreement and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), as well as principles governing state sovereignty and good neighborly relations.

Saudi authorities notified the Iranian embassy that its military attaché, assistant military attaché and three additional staff members had been declared persona non grata and must leave the Kingdom within 24 hours, according to the statement.

The ministry reiterated a previous warning issued on March 9 that continued attacks would represent further escalation and have a “profound impact” on bilateral relations. It also restated the Kingdom’s “categorical condemnation” of Iranian actions against Saudi Arabia, Gulf Cooperation Council states and other Arab and Islamic countries.

Saudi Arabia said it would take all necessary measures to safeguard its security and sovereignty, invoking its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter. The statement framed the expulsions as part of a broader response to what it described as repeated violations affecting civilian and strategic targets.

The ministry did not provide additional operational details on the alleged attacks but linked them to a pattern of actions undermining regional stability and diplomatic commitments.

The move comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, with Saudi Arabia warning that continued escalation could have serious consequences for regional relations. The reference to the Beijing Agreement underscores the strain on recent diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilizing ties between the two countries.

Saudi Arabia’s statement did not indicate any immediate diplomatic follow-up beyond the expulsions but emphasized that further actions would depend on developments on the ground.

President Pezeshkian highlighted the deep religious, cultural, and historical bonds shared by Muslim countries and stressed the need to build stronger solidarity across the Islamic world. He called for greater collaboration between Tehran and Riyadh in political, economic, and security sectors, saying such efforts could help address regional challenges without external interference.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is fully ready to expand its ties with Saudi Arabia in all arenas,” President Pezeshkian stated during the meeting. He welcomed the idea of forming joint working groups to explore opportunities for cooperation in key areas.

The Iranian president noted that unity among Islamic countries is essential for peace, security, and lasting economic development. “Disputes and poverty do not befit the Islamic Ummah,” he said, adding that leaders in the Muslim world have the potential to set an inspiring example of peaceful coexistence and progress.

President Pezeshkian also expressed his readiness to host Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Tehran, signaling a desire for continued high-level engagement between the two influential nations.

Prince Khalid bin Salman, for his part, conveyed greetings from the Saudi king and crown prince, and described his meetings with Iranian officials as positive and constructive, signaling a shared commitment to closer cooperation and regional peace.

The meeting marks another milestone in the warming of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, following the restoration of diplomatic ties last year under the China-brokered Beijing Agreement.

During the meeting, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri emphasized the positive trajectory of bilateral ties, stating that strengthened relations between the two nations and their military establishments would “bring despair and hopelessness to our enemies and joy to our friends.”

Bagheri also expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s role as an observer in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Maritime Exercise, IMEX 2024. The joint naval drill was held in the Indian Ocean with participation from Iran, Russia, and Oman, alongside observer delegations from several countries including Saudi Arabia, India, Thailand, Pakistan, Qatar, and Bangladesh.

Highlighting progress since the normalization of diplomatic ties, Bagheri noted that military relations between Tehran and Riyadh have steadily developed following the Beijing Agreement signed in March 2023, which marked the restoration of diplomatic relations after years of tensions.

The visit by Prince Khalid signals a continued thaw in relations and growing defense dialogue between the two regional powers, as both sides seek to strengthen stability and cooperation across the Middle East.