In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said the targeting of Saudi sovereignty, civilian infrastructure, diplomatic missions and economic interests constituted a breach of international norms. It added that the actions violated the Beijing Agreement and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), as well as principles governing state sovereignty and good neighborly relations.

Saudi authorities notified the Iranian embassy that its military attaché, assistant military attaché and three additional staff members had been declared persona non grata and must leave the Kingdom within 24 hours, according to the statement.

The ministry reiterated a previous warning issued on March 9 that continued attacks would represent further escalation and have a “profound impact” on bilateral relations. It also restated the Kingdom’s “categorical condemnation” of Iranian actions against Saudi Arabia, Gulf Cooperation Council states and other Arab and Islamic countries.

Saudi Arabia said it would take all necessary measures to safeguard its security and sovereignty, invoking its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter. The statement framed the expulsions as part of a broader response to what it described as repeated violations affecting civilian and strategic targets.

The ministry did not provide additional operational details on the alleged attacks but linked them to a pattern of actions undermining regional stability and diplomatic commitments.

The move comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, with Saudi Arabia warning that continued escalation could have serious consequences for regional relations. The reference to the Beijing Agreement underscores the strain on recent diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilizing ties between the two countries.

Saudi Arabia’s statement did not indicate any immediate diplomatic follow-up beyond the expulsions but emphasized that further actions would depend on developments on the ground.

QatarEnergy said its emergency teams contained fires at Ras Laffan, the centre of the country’s liquefied natural gas operations, with authorities reporting no casualties.

The facility, located about 80 km north of Doha, is a key global energy hub processing a significant share of the world’s LNG supply.

QatarEnergy said several LNG facilities were hit in early Thursday strikes, causing “sizeable fires” and further structural damage. The Pearl gas-to-liquids plant, one of the world’s largest of its kind, suffered extensive damage, the company added.

International energy firms operating in Ras Laffan began assessing the impact. Shell, which holds stakes in multiple LNG projects at the site, said it was evaluating potential disruptions to its assets.

Qatar produces around 77 million metric tons of LNG annually, making it the world’s second-largest exporter, and Ras Laffan plays a central role in processing and export operations.

The United Arab Emirates said it intercepted incoming missiles and temporarily shut gas facilities as a precautionary measure. Authorities reported no injuries.

The attacks followed Iranian evacuation warnings for energy installations across Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, issued after strikes on Iran’s own infrastructure, including the South Pars and Asaluyeh energy complexes.

Qatar condemned the strike as a threat to national security and ordered Iranian diplomatic staff linked to defence and security to leave the country within 24 hours, declaring them persona non grata.

Trump, responding on social media, warned Iran against further targeting Qatari LNG infrastructure and said the United States would respond forcefully if such attacks were repeated. He added that Israel’s earlier strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field had occurred without prior notification to Washington or Doha.

The escalation marks a widening of the conflict into critical Gulf energy infrastructure, raising concerns over sustained disruptions to global gas supplies and heightened geopolitical risk across the region.