Saudi Arabia has warned Iran that continued attacks on the kingdom or its energy infrastructure could prompt a military response and lead Riyadh to allow US forces to launch operations from Saudi bases, according to people familiar with diplomatic exchanges between the two countries, Reuters reports. 

The message was delivered as Gulf states seek to prevent the widening of the conflict between Iran and the United States, which began on February 28 following the collapse of negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Saudi officials have simultaneously pushed for a diplomatic settlement while signalling that further strikes on Saudi territory would cross a red line.

The warning comes as there is some confusion in the Iranian command. On March 7, Iran's president Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran will no longer target neighbouring countries unless they allow attacks on Iran from their territory. The announcement was widely seen as an attempt by the president to wind back growing tensions.

However, within hours the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) contradicted Pezeshkian and said the attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members would continue, before launching fresh drone and missile strikes targeting US military assets in their neighbour’s territories.

An official IRGC statement said: “President Pezeshkian made a mistake [saying they won't attack neighboring countries], and our forces demonstrated his mistake. His comments were 5 hours ago, and since then Dubai and Abu Dhabi are being struck. Ignore Pezeshkian's words during the war.”

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan conveyed Riyadh’s position in a call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi two days before Pezeshkian’ comments. During the conversation, Prince Faisal said Saudi Arabia supported efforts to reduce tensions and was open to mediation aimed at reaching a negotiated settlement, Reuters reports. The minister also stressed that neither Saudi Arabia nor other Gulf states had allowed the US to use their territory or airspace to launch strikes against Iran.

“Saudi Arabia is open to any form of mediation aimed at de-escalation and a negotiated settlement,” the sources quoted the minister as saying.

However, the Saudi message also included a warning. If Iranian attacks against Saudi territory or its critical energy infrastructure continued, Riyadh could be forced to shift its position and permit US forces to use bases in the kingdom for military operations.

Prince Faisal stressed that continued attacks on the kingdom’s energy facilities would trigger a harder line response, the Reuters’ sources said.

Since the start of Operation Epic Fury on February 28 all of the GCC members have been hit by Iranian missiles, including the neutral Oman. However, bne IntelliNews sources in Muscat said the Iranian attack on its ports had been “a mistake” and the government had received an apology from Tehran.

Saudi Arabia is also in contact with Tehran through diplomatic and back channels since the conflict erupted, including regular communication through its ambassador, according to the sources.

The kingdom has previously sought to reduce tensions with Iran after years of rivalry that has played out across the Middle East. Riyadh and Tehran restored diplomatic relations in 2023 through a China-brokered agreement, raising hopes that the two regional powers could avoid direct confrontation even as wider geopolitical tensions persist.

“Although the Saudis have publicly denied permission since before the war, they have not only allowed the US and Israel to use their bases, but also seem to be refuelling planes that are attacking Iran,” says bne IntelliNews military analyst, Patricia Marins. “We will likely see an intensification of Iranian attacks on Gulf countries, creating a scenario that potentially approaches a regional war.”