TEHRAN -UNS: Iran has called for any attack targeting Islamic holy sites, particularly Makkah, Madinah and Al-Aqsa Mosque, to be condemned, while warning against politicising the security of sacred sites.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei made the remarks on Thursday in response to Saudi Arabia’s announcement that its air defences had intercepted and destroyed a drone south of Makkah before it entered the city’s restricted airspace. Saudi authorities attributed the drone to Yemen’s Houthi movement.
Baqaei said that any aggression against Islamic holy sites, as well as threats to pilgrims, residents and visitors, was unacceptable and should be condemned.
However, he stressed that the mere claim that a drone had been intercepted while heading towards Makkah was not, by itself, sufficient grounds to accuse a particular party. He noted that the Houthi-led authorities in Yemen had explicitly denied responsibility for the alleged attack.
Iran also urged regional states to prevent the issue of Islamic holy sites and their security from becoming politicised or being used to fuel sectarian tensions and further regional escalation.
Baqaei additionally referred to what he described as alleged “false flag” operations in the region, saying such incidents could be used to divert public attention and deepen divisions among Muslim countries. He called for caution and vigilance.
Saudi Position
Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted the drone south of Makkah on 15 September, before it entered the prohibited airspace over the holy city. Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki described the incident as the second alleged Houthi attempt to target Makkah, following a ballistic missile incident in 2017. Saudi officials said the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims was a “red line”.
Houthi Denial
The Houthis have denied targeting Makkah and rejected Saudi Arabia’s accusation. Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has also described the Saudi allegation as false.
The competing claims have emerged amid a sharp escalation in fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, with further missile and drone attacks reported across the region.
