Saudi Arabia has declared Iran’s military attaché and four other embassy officials persona non grata, ordering them to leave the kingdom within 24 hours, in a move that signals rising diplomatic tensions in the Middle East. The affected officials include the Iranian military attaché, the assistant military attaché, and three other embassy staff.
The decision comes amid heightened instability in the region, where ongoing conflicts and proxy confrontations have intensified hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Historically rooted in geopolitical rivalry, sectarian divisions, and competition for regional influence, tensions have escalated in recent months due to broader conflicts involving Israel, Gaza, and allied groups.
Iran has faced accusations of backing armed groups across the region, including in Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria—claims Tehran denies—while Saudi Arabia has aligned itself with efforts to counter Iranian influence and protect its national security. Analysts view the expulsion of Iranian diplomatic staff as a significant escalation that could further undermine fragile diplomatic efforts.
The move also occurs against the backdrop of military hostilities involving Iran, Israel, and allied forces. Reports indicate Iranian missile strikes hit southern Israel, injuring about 100 people, while coordinated U.S. and Israeli attacks targeted several Iranian cities, including Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, Natanz, and Ramsar. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation condemned the strikes on its Natanz nuclear facility as “criminal attacks.”
Amid growing concerns over regional stability, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that the UN is prepared to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has threatened to block to what it calls “enemy ships.” A coalition of European and Gulf countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the UAE, and Bahrain, condemned attacks on vessels and critical infrastructure, highlighting the risks to global energy security and peace in the region.
