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Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged Saudi Arabia to remove US forces, emphasizing that Iran's military actions target enemy aggressors.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addresses a special session of the Conference on Disarmament at the United Nations, aside of U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva, Switzerland, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Pierre Albouy(REUTERS)Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Saudi Arabia on Monday to evict US forces from its territory, reiterating that its attacks in the region only targeted its enemies.
"Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X. “Our operations are aimed at enemy aggressors who have no respect for Arabs or Iranians, nor can provide any security... High time to eject U.S. forces.”
An Iranian missile attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia destroyed a valuable E-3 Sentry early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft, the first known combat loss for this type—and damaged several other military jets, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The report stated that the roughly $300 million plane, used to detect distant threats and direct combat aircraft, was rendered unflyable, with unverified photos showing its tail completely severed.
While the US operates more than 30 such planes and can replace the loss, the destruction represents a significant setback, Bloomberg report noted.
Meanwhile, Dubai authorities reported that maritime firefighting teams successfully extinguished a fire on a tanker caused by a drone attack. All 24 crew members are safe, and no injuries were reported, while officials continue to assess the situation, Reuters reported.
Following the news, Brent crude futures initially rose over 2% to $115.17 per barrel in early Asian trading but later eased after the Wall Street Journal reported thatTrump is open to ending the conflict even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
Brent crude is on track for a 59% increase in March, marking its largest monthly gain ever, driven by the ongoing Middle East tensions.
Trump threatens again
Trump has once again threatened to strike Iranian energy facilities if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened, fueling fears of further escalation after U.S. troops were deployed to the region.
The US “is in serious discussions” with Iran to end military operations, Trump said in a social-media post on Monday. But if a deal isn’t reached and Hormuz reopened, “we will conclude our lovely “stay” in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!).”
Meanwhile, officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain have privately indicated that they do not want the military operation to end until there are major changes in Iranian leadership or a significant shift in Iran’s behavior, according to a report by AP citing sources.
Our operations are aimed at enemy aggressors who have no respect for Arabs or Iranians.
While regional leaders generally support current U.S. efforts, some divisions exist: Saudi Arabia and the UAE are at the forefront of calls for ramping up military pressure on Tehran, according to a Gulf diplomat, AP reported.
Arab leaders meet in Saudi Arabia as Iran war pressures the region
The leaders of wealthy Gulf states Saudi Arabia and Qatar as well as key U.S. ally Jordan held an in-person meeting on Monday to discuss regional tensions and ways to avoid further escalation, AP reported.
Key Takeaways
- Iran's warning highlights the increasing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
- Regional leaders are advocating for a more aggressive stance against Iran.
- The destruction of military assets signals significant implications for US-Iran relations and regional security.
About the Author
Mausam Jha
Mausam Jha is a journalist who focuses on world affairs and politics. She provides clear, informative reporting with a good understanding of both global events and their local impact. <br><br> Her clear, accessible reporting on political and international issues makes her a trusted source of news and analysis. <br><br> For the past three years, Mausam has worked with Mint, covering national politics, IR—including elections—and global affairs.<br> Before joining her current role, she gained experience working with The Statesman, ANI, and Financial Express, where she honed her skills in political and international news. <br><br> She has consistently tracked key electoral battles, including US elections, Japan elections, policy debates, and strategic affairs, explaining how global currents, from great power competition to regional conflicts <br><br> Beyond journalism, Mausam has a deep engagement with international relations, diplomacy, war studies, terrorism, political history, and political theory. She is particularly interested in the intersection of statecraft and society on how governance, ideology, and institutions shape lived realities, and how politics shape today's world order. <br><br> An avid reader of classical literature and political thought, she constantly explores the connections between historical ideas and contemporary policy challenges.
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