Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, delivered one of the strongest condemnations yet against Iran, declaring that any remaining trust between Riyadh and Tehran has been “completely shattered.” The remarks came early on Thursday, March 19, 2026, shortly after Iranian ballistic missiles targeted the Saudi capital during an emergency meeting of Arab and Islamic foreign ministers in Riyadh.
Kabul 24: Speaking at a press conference following the high-level diplomatic gathering, Prince Faisal strongly condemned Iran’s attack on two refineries in Riyadh.
He described the strikes as premeditated, unjustifiable, and a clear attempt to pressure and blackmail neighboring countries by targeting their economic lifelines and civilian livelihoods.“This pressure from Iran will backfire — politically and morally,” the Saudi top diplomat said. “Iran has chosen a policy of threats, proxies, and direct aggression instead of dialogue and good-neighborly relations.
Such actions will not yield any gains for Tehran; on the contrary, they will lead to greater isolation.”Prince Faisal emphasized that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will never retreat from defending its national sovereignty, the security of its citizens, and its vital economic infrastructure. “We are capable of responding, and we reserve the full right to take military action if necessary,” he stated firmly.
Saudi defense systems successfully intercepted four ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh, though debris from the attack caused limited damage near one of the refineries. The timing of the strike — while senior diplomats were convened in the capital — was described by Prince Faisal as “no coincidence” and a blatant signal of Iran’s disregard for diplomacy.
He urged Tehran to “immediately review its misjudgments,” halt all attacks on Gulf states and other Arab countries, and restrain its network of proxy militias. “Our patience is not unlimited,” the minister warned, adding that continued Iranian aggression would only deepen mistrust and escalate tensions across the region.
The Saudi position marks a sharp deterioration in relations that had shown tentative improvement following the 2023 China-brokered agreement.
Prince Faisal stressed that while the Kingdom still prefers the path of diplomacy, Iran’s recent behavior has destroyed the fragile trust that once existed, leaving Riyadh with no choice but to prioritize the defense of its territory and people.
This firm stance reflects growing unity among Gulf and Arab states in the face of Iranian missile and drone campaigns that have also affected other regional energy facilities in recent weeks.
