Saudi Arabia said on Saturday it had declared several members of Iran’s embassy staff persona non grata, ordering them to leave the Kingdom within 24 hours.

Axar.az reports, citing Al Arabiya, in a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry said the military attaché at the Iranian embassy in Riyadh, his assistant, and three other members of the diplomatic mission had been notified to depart the country.

It said Iran’s continued targeting of Saudi territory, civilian infrastructure, economic interests, and diplomatic premises in the Kingdom constitutes a “clear violation” of international law, principles of good neighborliness, and respect for state sovereignty.

The ministry stressed that the Kingdom “will not hesitate” to take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, as well as to protect its citizens, residents, and economic interests, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, which affirms the right of states to self-defense.