Iran Denies Involvement in Attack on US Embassy in Saudi Arabia

Alireza Enayati, the Iranian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, has categorically dismissed accusations that Iran conducted a drone attack against the United States embassy in Riyadh earlier this week.

Saudi officials had alleged that Tehran targeted the diplomatic facility with drones, which Iran has vigorously denied.

Repeatedly, Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of missile and drone strikes aimed at its territory, asserting that the kingdom maintains the right to defend itself, including potential retaliation.

Iran previously rejected claims of an attack on the Ras Tanura Refinery, one of the largest oil installations in the Middle East, after Riyadh alleged that the facility was struck twice by drones.

Reiterating Tehran’s stance, Enayati stated that Iran was not involved in the incident that allegedly caused a fire within the US embassy grounds.

"We confirmed that Iran has no role in the attack on the US embassy in Riyadh," the ambassador stated, emphasizing that if Iran's military command in Tehran executed any strike, it would openly accept responsibility.

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated following retaliatory actions from Iran against US and Israeli strikes that reportedly resulted in the death of its supreme leader. Iran has since engaged in retaliatory attacks targeting Israeli installations and other sites across the region.

Reports have indicated that at least 13 individuals have lost their lives in Gulf nations since Iran commenced its strikes over the weekend, including seven civilians.

In spite of the rising violence, Enayati asserted that Iran does not intend to extend 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.

Prior to this latest escalation, Saudi Arabia had backed diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between Tehran and Washington, insisting that its airspace and territory would not be employed to launch attacks against Iran.

Enayati expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia's stance, stating, "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. We welcome and affirm this position."

Iran and Saudi Arabia had resumed diplomatic relations in March 2023 following a significant agreement facilitated by China, ending years of strained ties.

The two nations had severed diplomatic relations in 2016 after attacks on Saudi diplomatic offices in Tehran and Mashhad during protests triggered by the execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr by Saudi Arabia.