Since October 2023, various mediators and facilitators in the Middle East have dealt with the repercussions of October 2023. Saudi Arabia, like all other actors, has identified regional stability as one of its primary foreign policy objectives.
On June 13, Israel launched coordinated attacks across multiple Iranian provinces, targeting military and nuclear sites—a major escalation in the long-running tensions. Iran retaliated mostly with missile salvos, raising fears of a broader war. In response to Israel’s unprecedented strikes on Iran, Saudi Arabia has adopted a proactive diplomatic stance aimed at de-escalating the ensuing crisis. This attack and the inexplicable military instability that followed between the two actors pushed regional countries like Saudi Arabia to craft strategies rapidly. Riyadh swiftly condemned the Israeli strikes as violations of international law and has leveraged its regional and international relations to press for restraint and dialogue in the region. In coordination with Gulf neighbors and Türkiye, Saudi Arabia has emphasized that regional collaboration—rather than further military confrontation—is the only viable path to long-term stability.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry denounced the Israeli strikes as “heinous attacks” that flagrantly violated international law, affirming that the Kingdom “stands with Iran, a brotherly nation, to preserve its sovereignty”. Riyadh urged the UN Security Council and the international community to act swiftly to halt the aggression. Saudi officials, led by Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, engaged in intensive diplomacy. They held calls with counterparts across the Gulf, the broader Middle East, and key global powers to coordinate a response, emphasize restraint, and explore dialogue-based solutions.
Saudi Arabia’s joint efforts with other Gulf states have also contributed to regional responses to Israeli aggression. A joint statement issued by more than twenty Arab and Islamic countries—including Saudi Arabia, other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, and Türkiye—categorically rejected the Israeli attacks and called for an immediate ceasefire and a return to negotiations. The GCC held an online meeting during wich members states collectively condemned Israel’s actions and activated emergency measures to guard against potential nuclear or environmental fallout. These rapid responses clearly demonstrate that Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy fundamentally envisions a futurefree from regional military tensions and that the kingdom does not hesitate to use its diplomatic resources to achieve this future.
During the 12-day-war, Saudi Arabia hascarefully managed the crisis to avoid being drawn into direct conflict. In fact, this was a valid strategy not only for Saudi Arabia but also for countries geographically and politically situated between Israel and Iran. Aligning too closely with either side in this war could risk escalating the conflict further and potentially paving the way for additional destabilizing actins. Having recently reconciled with Iran in 2023, Riyadh has leveraged its improved ties to promote calm, while also maintaining its traditional alliances in the region. At this point, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to offer condolences for Iranian casulties of Israeli strikes, reiterating that force must be rejected and disputes need to be resolved through diplomacy. This approach underscores Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy of regional conflict resolution and strategic neutrality as the best guarantors of long-term stability. While Saudi Arabia directly condemned Israel and held it responsible for the events, it has consistently avoided military engagement that would directly change the course of the conflict.
