Iran Proposes Joint Investigation Committee on Regional Airstrikes
In a significant diplomatic move, Iran's Foreign Minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, has declared his country's readiness to establish an investigative committee alongside regional nations to examine recent airstrikes. This announcement was made during an interview with the Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper and subsequently reported by Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency.
Iran's Stance on Military Actions
Araghchi emphasized that Iran's military operations are exclusively aimed at US bases and interests within the region. He stated, "We are ready to form an investigation committee with regional countries regarding the targets that have been attacked. Our attacks only target US bases and interests in the region." This clarification comes amidst a backdrop of heightened regional hostilities and accusations.
Saudi Arabia's Drone Interceptions
Concurrently, Saudi Arabia has been actively countering aerial threats, with its Ministry of Defence confirming the interception and destruction of at least 10 drones in recent operations. Specifically, four drones were neutralized within the Riyadh metropolitan area on Sunday, adding to a total of 10 drones downed across the capital and eastern regions. Just an hour prior, two additional drones were destroyed in the eastern part of the country.
These incidents follow earlier reports from the ministry, which noted that Saudi forces had already neutralized seven drones in the same regions. These persistent efforts underscore the kingdom's commitment to protecting its central and eastern territories. Officials also confirmed the interception and destruction of a drone detected over the Al-Jawf region in the north.
Escalating Regional Tensions
The kingdom has faced a relentless series of aerial threats since the commencement of joint US-Israeli military operations against Iran on February 28. During this period, Saudi Arabia has been repeatedly targeted by waves of Iranian drones and missiles. According to Al Jazeera, these ongoing attacks have resulted in at least two deaths and 12 injuries, highlighting the severe human cost of the conflict.
IRGC's Denial and Clarification
Shortly after the latest interceptions, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a formal statement distancing itself from the offensive. As reported by Al Jazeera, the IRGC asserted that "this attack has no connection to the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Saudi government should seek to discover the origin of the attacks." This denial adds a layer of complexity to the already volatile situation, with conflicting narratives emerging from different parties involved.
Unprecedented Aerial Threats
The sheer volume of projectiles represents an unusually high level of aerial threats for Saudi Arabia, according to Euro News. This follows a massive wave on Friday where nearly 50 drones were intercepted. Critical sites, including the US Embassy and oil infrastructure, remain under heightened risk as regional tensions continue to intensify, posing significant challenges to stability and security in the Middle East.
