Tensions heat up as Saudis and Iran bicker over attack

SAUDI Arabia and Iran traded fierce accusations over Yemen yesterday as Riyadh said a rebel missile attack “may amount to an act of war” and Tehran accused its rival of war crimes.

Tensions have been rising between Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia and predominantly Shi’ite Iran, which back opposing sides in wars and power struggles from Yemen to Syria.

Yesterday, a Saudi-led military coalition battling Tehranbacked rebels in Yemen said it reserved the “right to respond” to a missile attack on Riyadh at the weekend, calling it a “blatant military aggression by the Iranian regime, which may amount to an act of war”.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir (pictured) also warned Tehran. “Iranian interventions in the region are detrimental to the security of neighbouring countries and affect international peace and security,” he tweeted. “We will not allow any infringement on our national security.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded with dismissive tweets over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “KSA bombs Yemen to smithereens, killing 1000s of innocents including babies, spreads cholera and famine, but of course blames Iran,” he wrote.