Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Saudi Arabia will not permit its airspace or territory to be used for any military action against Iran, reaffirming support for dialogue to resolve disputes amid heightened regional tensions involving the United States and Gulf states.

In a notable diplomatic development this week, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman conveyed Riyadh’s position during a telephone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasising that the Kingdom “will not allow its airspace or territory to be used for any military actions against Iran or for any attacks from any party, regardless of their origin.”

The assurance, reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), reflects a deliberate policy to avoid becoming a launchpad for military strikes targeting Iran, even as global focus intensifies on potential conflict scenarios in the Middle East.

Crown Prince Mohammed reiterated Saudi Arabia’s respect for Iran’s sovereignty and expressed support for efforts that resolve disputes through dialogue in a manner that enhances regional security and stability. (

Iran’s President Pezeshkian responded with appreciation for Riyadh’s stance, telling the Saudi leader that Tehran welcomes “any process, within the framework of international law, that prevents war.”

He further highlighted that the “unity and cohesion” of Islamic nations could help guarantee “lasting security, stability and peace in the region.”

The phone call comes against a backdrop of increased diplomatic activity and reflects a rare moment of concord – or at least mutual restraint between two historically rival powers whose relations have been strained for decades over competing political, religious, and strategic interests.

Gulf States’ Neutrality and Collective Regional Anxiety

Saudi Arabia’s assurance follows a similar declaration by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which announced on January 26 that it will not allow its airspace, territory, or territorial waters to be used for any hostile military action against Iran.

The UAE foreign ministry emphasised respect for state sovereignty and the need for dialogue, de-escalation, and adherence to international law as the best way forward.

These statements by the two Gulf monarchies mark a significant diplomatic shift especially considering that historically, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been aligned with the United States on countering Iranian influence in the region.

Analysts see this shift not necessarily as support for Tehran’s policy goals, but as a pragmatic attempt to avoid being drawn into direct conflict that could destabilise the Gulf.

The growing concern among Gulf states stems from the realisation that military action – whether initiated by Iran, the United States, or any external actor – could disrupt critical economic interests, including oil production and export routes, as well as inflame sectarian tensions across the broader Middle East.

US Military Movements and Rising Rhetoric

While diplomatic efforts appear to be gaining traction, geopolitical tensions remain elevated due to the United States’ military posture and political rhetoric.

The US has deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group and supporting warships to the Middle East, an assertive move Washington says is aimed at promoting regional security and deterring potential threats.

The United States has also announced multi-day aerial military exercises in the region – involving fighter jets and allied assets – underscoring its readiness to defend interests and allies.

Former President Donald Trump, speaking about the deployments, referred to them as a “big armada,” while stressing that he hoped military force would not be necessary.

Echoing these developments, Iran’s leadership has expressed deep resistance to any foreign military intervention. While engaging diplomatically with Saudi Arabia, Tehran has simultaneously underscored that threats from Washington – in the context of its handling of internal protests and nuclear programme concerns – “will achieve nothing other than instability.”

The intersection of military drills, naval deployments, and diplomatic generosity has created a complex, high-stakes landscape, where allies, adversaries, and neutral states alike seek to balance deterrence with de-escalation.

Historical Tensions and the Quest for Stability

To understand why Saudi Arabia’s recent assurance matters, one must consider the long history of Saudi-Iranian rivalry.

For decades, Riyadh and Tehran have competed for leadership in the Middle East, often through proxy conflicts – most visibly in Yemen and Syria – and ideological competition between Sunni-led and Shia-led blocs. This competition has additionally shaped the foreign policies of neighbouring Gulf states and wider global alliances.

Against this backdrop, the current diplomatic outreach represents more than a transactional exchange. It signals growing wariness among regional actors about the human, economic, and political costs of broader conflict, especially as the repercussions of Iran’s domestic unrest and its implications for international relations continue to unfold.

The decline in protests inside Iran sparked by rising living costs and political grievances – has not fully eased external pressures, given Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the United States’ persistent concerns about strategic stability.

In this context, Gulf states have recalibrated their positions, favouring dialogue over escalation, not out of pacifism alone, but out of calculated defence of national and regional interests.

A Turn Toward Diplomacy Amid Fragile Peace

Saudi Arabia’s clear message that it will not permit the use of its airspace or territory for military action against Iran – reinforced by a similar stance from the UAE marks a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern diplomacy.

These declarations, coupled with Iran’s reception of such outreach, suggest that key regional actors are prioritising de-escalation and legal frameworks to avert war.

Yet, the shadow of military force – fuelled by US deployments and sharp rhetoric – continues to loom. With so many variables at play, the balance between deterrence and diplomacy remains delicate.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

In a world where conflict often arrives with devastating human cost, the choice of major powers and regional leaders to emphasise diplomatic engagement is not just pragmatic – it is profoundly humane.

Peaceful dialogue honours the core values of respect, empathy, and shared humanity.