Saudi Arabia, UAE bar use of airspace, territory for attacks on Iran

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, affirmed that the Kingdom will not permit its airspace or territory to be used for any military actions against Iran from any party, regardless of their origin. This comes after US President Donald Trump reiterated his hard-line stance on Iran during a campaign-style event in Iowa, emphasising both military pressure and the possibility of negotiations with Tehran as tensions persist over the crackdown on protesters and regional security in Iran.  
According to a statement by the Saudi Press Agency, the Crown Prince made the remarks during a telephone conversation with the President of the Islamic Republic, Masoud Pezeshkian. During the call, Prince Salman emphasised that Saudi Arabia respects Iran’s sovereignty. He also reiterated the Kingdom’s support for resolving disputes through dialogue to promote security and stability in the region. The Iranian President expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s stance.  
Separately, the United Arab Emirates issued a similar statement. Afra Al Hameli, director of strategic communications at the UAE foreign ministry, wrote on X that the UAE “confirms its commitment to not allowing its airspace, land or waters to be used in any hostile military actions against Iran.” She added that Abu Dhabi would not offer logistical support for such actions and emphasized that dialogue, de-escalation, and respect for international law remain the preferred path to managing regional crises. 
The statements from Riyadh and Abu Dhabi come as US warships approach the Middle East. President Donald Trump said another US “armada” is heading toward Iran and expressed hope that Tehran would reach an agreement with Washington. Iran is currently in turmoil due to nationwide anti-government protests, driven by economic hardship and mounting public anger over governance. According to the latest compiled data from the Human Rights Activist News Agency, as of the 31st day of the protests, the total number of confirmed deaths has reached 6 thousand 2 hundred and 21.