Riyadh, March 22, 2026 — In a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions amid ongoing regional conflict, Saudi Arabia has declared Iran's military attaché, his assistant, and three other embassy staff members *persona non grata*, ordering them to depart the Kingdom within 24 hours.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the decision on Saturday, citing repeated Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as the primary reason. The statement condemned these actions as "flagrant violations" of international conventions, principles of good neighborliness, respect for state sovereignty, the Beijing Agreement, and UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026). It further noted that the attacks contradict professed Islamic brotherhood and values, highlighting a disconnect between Iran's rhetoric and its conduct.
"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has notified the military attaché of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Kingdom, the assistant military attaché, and three members of the mission staff to leave the Kingdom, and has declared them personae non gratae," the ministry said. "They are required to depart the Kingdom within 24 hours."
The decision reaffirms an earlier statement from March 9, 2026, warning that continued Iranian aggression would lead to further escalation and serious consequences for bilateral relations. Saudi Arabia emphasized its resolve to take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security, territory, airspace, citizens, residents, resources, and interests, in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter.
This move comes against the backdrop of heightened hostilities in the Middle East, triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran beginning February 28, 2026. Iran has since launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and Gulf states hosting US military assets, including facilities in Saudi Arabia. These strikes have affected critical infrastructure and drawn widespread condemnation from Arab and Islamic nations.
Saudi Arabia's action follows a similar step by Qatar earlier in the week, which expelled Iran's military and security attachés after Iranian strikes damaged the Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas facility.
The expulsion narrows diplomatic channels between Riyadh and Tehran at a critical juncture, raising concerns about potential further retaliation or broader regional fallout. Analysts view the measure as a strong signal of Saudi frustration with Iran's regional activities, including alleged support for proxy groups, amid efforts by Gulf states to contain the conflict through diplomacy while reserving the right to defend themselves.
No immediate response from Iranian authorities was available at the time of publication, though Tehran has previously dismissed such diplomatic protests as pressure tactics. The development underscores the fragile state of Saudi-Iranian relations, despite past attempts at de-escalation, and highlights the risk of wider involvement in the ongoing crisis.
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