Saudi Arabia irate with Iran after strike kills 2 civilians

Tehran claimed it was targeting U.S. radar systems when the strike hit a residential neighborhood in the Gulf kingdom.

By World Israel News Staff

Saudi Arabia is expressing fury after an Iranian strike killed two civilians in the kingdom, with Riyadh issuing statements warning that the Islamic Republic could become the war’s “biggest loser” if it continues its attacks.

On Sunday, two foreign workers in the Gulf kingdom were killed by a “military projectile” launched by Iran that struck a residential neighborhood in the city of Al-Kharj.

The victims were identified as an Indian and a Bangladeshi citizen. Twelve other people were wounded in the strike.

Saudi officials strongly condemned the attack and warned Tehran that continued strikes could carry severe repercussions.

“If Iran presses ahead with its attacks, it would bear the heaviest diplomatic, economic, and strategic consequences, and be ‘the biggest loser'” once the war ends, Arab News reported an insider from the Saudi government as saying.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry also denounced the targeting of civilian infrastructure, accusing Iran of deliberately endangering regional stability.

“The targeting of civilian airports and oil facilities is nothing but a demonstration of determination to threaten security and stability and a flagrant violation of international covenants and international law,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

In the same statement, the ministry criticized Iran’s justification for attacking multiple countries across the region. Tehran has argued that any nation hosting American military infrastructure or allowing its airspace to be used by the United States for operations against Iran constitutes a legitimate target.

Saudi officials rejected that claim, insisting that the aircraft operating in the kingdom’s airspace are engaged in defensive missions.

“The reality is that those aircraft are conducting air patrols to monitor and protect the airspace of the Kingdom and the [Gulf states] from Iranian missiles and drones,” the ministry said.

Iran defended the strike on Al-Kharj, claiming it had been targeting American radar systems located in the area.

“This is getting very volatile and dangerous for people across the Gulf,” Al Jazeera reporter Laura Khan said about the strike, noting that attacks on civilian neighborhoods disproportionately affect the region’s large population of foreign workers.

“It’s really important to emphasize that over 200 nationalities live and work across the Gulf nations,” Khan added.