Saudi Arabia orders Iranian diplomats, military attaché out within 24 hours
Saudi Arabia has ordered the expulsion of Iran’s military attaché and four other diplomats, declaring them persona non-grata and giving them 24 hours to leave the kingdom, in a sharp escalation of tensions between the two regional rivals.
The decision was announced by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which said the move was taken over activities deemed incompatible with the diplomats’ official status, amid growing security concerns.
The expulsions are linked to escalating hostilities in the region, with Saudi authorities accusing Iran of continued attacks targeting Gulf States and strategic infrastructure.
The development comes as tensions intensify across the Middle East, involving Israel and the United States, raising fears of a broader regional conflict with far-reaching geopolitical and economic consequences.
Analysts say the expulsion of a military attaché is particularly significant, as such officials play a crucial role in maintaining military-to-military communication channels.
Their removal is widely seen as a sign of deepening distrust and a further deterioration of diplomatic relations.
While Iran has yet to formally respond to the latest action by Riyadh, the move underscores the fragile state of relations in the region, where long-standing rivalries and ongoing military confrontations continue to threaten stability.
