Saudi Arabia will not allow its territory to be used against Iran: Tehran thanks Riyadh

2026-03-06 - 06:33

RIYADH – Iran has expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia after the kingdom announced that its territory would not be allowed to be used for any action against Iran. Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, said in an interview with Agence France-Presse that Tehran appreciates Riyadh’s declaration that its airspace, maritime boundaries and land will not be used against Iran. He said Saudi authorities have repeatedly assured Iranian officials that the kingdom’s air, sea and land territory would not be used for any operations against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Iranian envoy added that Tehran is thankful to the Saudi leadership for these assurances. According to reports, even before tensions escalated between Iran and the United States, Saudi Arabia had supported diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between the two countries. Riyadh had also made it clear that it would not allow its airspace to be used for any potential attack on Iran. US says Iran war could continue for more than two months US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has said that the war with Iran could continue for more than two months, adding that the US military operation in the country is progressing successfully. Speaking during a briefing on US attacks against Iran, Hegseth said the United States had only just begun its military campaign and warned that Tehran should not assume that Washington would be unable to sustain the conflict. “The operation in Iran is moving forward successfully,” he said, adding that the next phase of the mission would focus on eliminating Iran’s missile production capability. Hegseth said the United States possessed ample military resources and equipment to continue the war for as long as required. “If Iran believes that the United States cannot sustain this war, it is mistaken,” he stated. The US defense chief also dismissed claims from Tehran that Washington had become trapped in the conflict. “That may be Iran’s wish, but it is not the reality,” he said. According to Hegseth, the US mission in Iran is now entering its next stage, which will intensify military pressure on the country’s strategic capabilities. He further said that the timeline of the war would be determined by the United States. “The conflict could last four weeks, eight weeks, or even longer,” he added.