Saudi Arabia Expels Tehran Envoys After Missile Strikes Target Gulf States Hosting U.S. Forces.
From missiles to expulsions — diplomacy in the Gulf is unraveling fast.
Saudi Arabia has expelled several Iranian diplomats, sharply escalating diplomatic tensions after Tehran launched missile and drone strikes against Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases.
In a statement on Saturday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as Iran’s “blatant and repeated attacks” on Saudi territory and neighboring Gulf countries. Riyadh formally notified Iran’s military attaché, assistant military attaché and three other embassy staff members to leave the kingdom within 24 hours.
The ministry said the move was necessary to safeguard Saudi sovereignty and security, invoking Article 51 of the UN Charter, which affirms the right of self-defense. It warned that Iran’s actions could carry “serious consequences” for bilateral relations.
The expulsions follow a similar step by Qatar, which ordered Iranian military and security attachés to depart after a strike damaged facilities at Ras Laffan Industrial City — a key global liquefied natural gas hub.
Iran has framed its strikes as retaliation for U.S.-Israeli attacks that began on February 28, including Israeli bombardment of Iran’s South Pars gas field. Tehran has also targeted Prince Sultan Air Base in Al Kharj, which hosts American troops.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was acting in self-defense and targeting U.S. military assets in the region. Iranian officials have warned that Gulf states allowing their territory to be used for U.S. operations could face continued retaliation.
At the same time, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian publicly apologized for missile strikes that hit civilian infrastructure in Gulf countries, signaling an attempt to limit diplomatic fallout even as military exchanges continue.
The diplomatic rupture highlights the widening scope of the conflict. What began as direct confrontation between Iran and Israel has drawn Gulf capitals into the crossfire, placing regional security arrangements under acute strain.
With embassies thinning and air defenses on high alert, the Gulf’s fragile balance now faces its most serious test in years.
