RIYADH — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who also serves as Prime Minister, has reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia will not permit its airspace or territory to be used for any military action against Iran, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported late Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
The statement was made during a telephone conversation between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. According to SPA, the crown prince emphasized “the Kingdom’s position on respecting the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” explicitly declaring that Saudi Arabia “will not allow the use of its airspace or territory in any military actions against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any attacks by any party, regardless of their destination.”
Prince Mohammed bin Salman further reiterated Saudi Arabia’s support for “any efforts aimed at resolving disputes through dialogue in a manner that enhances security and stability in the region.” The call comes amid sharply elevated regional tensions, including U.S. military deployments near Iranian waters, Israeli defense readiness, and Iranian warnings of a “swift and comprehensive” response to any attack.
The Iranian presidency issued a parallel readout of the conversation, confirming that President Pezeshkian expressed appreciation for the solidarity shown by Islamic countries toward Iran amid fears of a possible U.S. military strike. Pezeshkian described Iran’s government policy as rooted in “preserving the unity and cohesion of ethnicities and sects and strengthening national solidarity.”
He underscored the importance of Muslim unity, stating: “I wholeheartedly believe that the Islamic ummah (nation) and Islamic countries are brothers, and I firmly believe that together and through joint cooperation we can build a secure, developed and advanced region for our peoples.”
Pezeshkian accused the United States and Israel of pursuing “hostility” through economic pressure, provocation of conflict, and direct support for unrest inside Iran. “They thought that with these actions, they could turn Iran into Syria or Libya, unaware that they do not know the reality, nature, and greatness of the Iranian people,” he said, crediting the “broad and conscious presence of the Iranian nation” with foiling such attempts.
He referenced past diplomatic efforts with the U.S. and Europe, noting: “We were in dialogue with the Americans when, in front of the eyes of the whole world, they launched a military attack against us… In interaction with European countries, we reached agreement and consensus, but these Americans were the ones who broke it and did not accompany it.”
The Iranian president reaffirmed Tehran’s readiness for dialogue, stating that Iran remains open to “any process that leads to peace, calm and the avoidance of conflict and war, within the framework of international laws and while fully preserving and respecting the rights of the nation and the country.”
The phone call between the Saudi and Iranian leaders follows a period of strained but gradually improving relations since the China-brokered restoration of diplomatic ties in March 2023. Saudi Arabia has sought to de-escalate regional conflicts, protect its economic interests—including oil infrastructure and Red Sea shipping lanes—and avoid entanglement in a potential U.S.-Iran confrontation.
The remarks by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are viewed by analysts as a clear signal of Riyadh’s neutrality in any prospective U.S. or Israeli military action against Iran, even as Saudi Arabia maintains strong strategic alignment with Washington. Riyadh has consistently emphasized dialogue, de-escalation, and respect for sovereignty in recent statements on the Gulf crisis.
The United States has maintained that “all options remain on the table” in dealing with Tehran, with President Donald Trump and senior officials reiterating that Washington and Israel seek changes to Iran’s ruling system and behavior. Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that any attack would trigger a full-scale regional response.
The conversation between Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Pezeshkian is the latest in a series of high-level contacts between Saudi and Iranian officials in recent months, reflecting efforts to manage tensions and prevent spillover from the Iran-U.S.-Israel standoff into the wider Gulf region.
No immediate comment was issued by the White House or the Israeli government on the Saudi crown prince’s statement as of late Tuesday evening.
