SAUDI ARABIA GIVES IRANIAN MILITARY ATTACHE AND FOUR OTHER EMBASSY STAFFERS 24 HOURS TO LEAVE COUNTRY

ISTANBUL, March 22 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Saudi Arabia in citing Iran's recent attacks, has declared the Iranian military attache, assistant attache, and three other Iranian Embassy staffers persona non grata, giving them 24 hours to leave the country.

Anadolu Ajansi reported that Saudi Foreign Ministry in a statement late Saturday, said it condemns Iran's attacks on the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Iran’s attacks targeting Saudi Arabia represent "a flagrant violation of all relevant international conventions, the principles of good neighborliness, and respect for state sovereignty."

They also violate “the Beijing Agreement, UN Security Council Resolution No. 2817, and contradict Islamic brotherhood and the values and principles of the Islamic religion that the Iranian side constantly speaks of, confirming that these are merely words not reflected by actions," it said.

Those attacks will have a "profound" impact on bilateral ties both now and in the future, the ministry said, expressing the kingdom's resolve to take necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security.

The move made Saudi Arabia the second country to take such steps since the war started on Feb 28.

Earlier this week, Qatar expelled Iran’s military and security attaches after Iranian missiles caused extensive damage to the Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility.

Hostilities in the region have escalated since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on Feb. 28, with Tehran retaliating with repeated drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU