Saudi Arabia summons Iraq envoy over drone threats from Iraqi territory

RIYADH - Saudi Arabia said on Sunday it had summoned Iraq's ambassador over what it described as threats targeting the kingdom and other Gulf states from drones launched from Iraqi territory.

The Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement that it had "emphasised the importance of Iraq dealing responsibly with these threats and attacks."

The ministry described the incidents as direct threats to the kingdom’s national security and to regional stability, stating that such actions represent a serious violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and international law.

In an official statement, Riyadh demanded that Iraqi authorities take immediate and decisive measures to prevent any further use of Iraqi territory as a launchpad for attacks against Gulf countries.

The summoning of the ambassador comes amid a sharp escalation in drone activity across the region. Just days ago, a drone strike sparked a fire at foreign oil storage facilities west of Iraq’s Basra, highlighting how Iraqi territory has increasingly become a staging ground for strikes on energy infrastructure.

The incidents fit into the wider pattern of Iran’s sustained aerial campaign that began on February 28 and has already struck targets in the UAE, Kuwait, and Iraq. Saudi officials believe many of the drones are launched or facilitated by Iran-aligned militias operating from within Iraq, turning the country into an unintended corridor for attacks on Gulf neighbours.

In its statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry stressed that “any threat to the security of the Kingdom or other Gulf states will not be tolerated” and called on Baghdad to exercise full control over its borders and airspace to stop such violations.

The move reflects growing frustration among Gulf capitals over the spillover effects of the Iran-Gulf conflict.