Iran has denied allegations that it launched a drone attack on the United States Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, amid escalating tensions across the Middle East following recent strikes involving the United States and Israel.
Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, on Thursday categorically rejected claims that Tehran targeted the American diplomatic compound in the Saudi capital earlier this week.
Saudi officials had alleged that Iran carried out a drone attack on the embassy, which reportedly triggered a fire within the compound.
However, speaking to Agence France-Presse (AFP), Enayati dismissed the accusations, insisting that Iran had no involvement in the incident.
“We confirmed that Iran has no role in the attack on the US embassy in Riyadh,” the ambassador said.
He added that the Iranian government typically acknowledges responsibility for its military actions and would not conceal such operations.
“If the operations command in Tehran attacks somewhere, it takes responsibility for it,” Enayati said.
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly accused Iran of launching missile and drone attacks on its territory in recent days as tensions in the region intensify.
Riyadh has warned that it reserves the right to defend itself and could retaliate against any confirmed attacks.
Iran has also denied earlier allegations that it targeted the Ras Tanura oil refinery in eastern Saudi Arabia, one of the largest petroleum facilities in the Middle East.
Saudi authorities had claimed the facility was struck twice by drones.
The diplomatic dispute comes amid a broader escalation of hostilities in the Middle East after joint strikes by the United States and Israel reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
In response, Iran has launched a series of retaliatory attacks across the region, targeting Israel and other strategic locations.
The violence has spread across the Gulf region, which had previously been considered relatively stable.
According to reports, at least 13 people have been killed since Iran began retaliatory strikes on Saturday, including seven civilians.
Despite the escalation, Enayati rejected suggestions that Iran is seeking to expand the conflict into a broader regional war.
“This is not a regional war and it is not our war. It was imposed on the region,” he said.
Before the outbreak of the latest hostilities, Saudi Arabia had supported diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions between Iran and the United States.
The kingdom had also assured Tehran that its territory, airspace and waters would not be used to launch attacks against Iran.
Enayati welcomed that stance, saying Tehran appreciated Saudi Arabia’s position.
“We appreciate what we have repeatedly heard from Saudi Arabia that it does not allow its airspace, waters, or territory to be used against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said. “We welcome and affirm this position.”
Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia had only recently begun to improve after years of hostility.
In March 2023, the two regional rivals agreed to restore diplomatic ties under a China-brokered agreement facilitated by the China.
Saudi Arabia had previously severed relations with Iran in 2016 after protesters attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in the northwestern Iranian city of Mashhad following the execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr by Saudi authorities.
The latest accusations and denials now threaten to strain the fragile rapprochement between the two countries as the wider Middle East conflict continues to unfold.
