Saudi minister defends US attack, condemns Iran

The Saudi Minster of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel al-Jubeir, has condemned the missile attacks by Iran on two US airbases in Iraq in retaliation for the US killing of top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani a week ago.

"We take issue with the violation of Iraq's sovereignty by Iran," Adel al-Jubeir said Friday during a news conference in Prague where he was on a routine diplomatic visit.

Al-Jubeir reiterated the Saudi position, supporting the US right to defend itself but called for calm in the region.

"We believe that there should be a way to avoid escalation because we believe escalation would be damaging to all parties and not just one or the other," he added.

Al-Jubeir also made reference to the Iranian nuclear deal, saying it is flawed in its current form and that it should be amended.

He also defended freedom of navigation in the Gulf, adding that the world should come together "in order to ensure that we have adequate security to provide that."

(Picture Credit: AP)