An Iranian flag. (Credit: AFP)
DUBAI — Iran's intelligence minister told its rival Saudi Arabia on Wednesday that there is no guarantee Tehran will continue its "strategy of patience," according to the semi-official Fars news agency.
"Until now, Iran has adopted a strategy of patience with firm rationality, but it does not give any guarantee for the continuation of this in case of hostilities," Fars quoted Esmail Khatib as saying.
Last week, Iran denied that it posed a threat to Saudi Arabia after the Wall Street Journal reported that Riyadh had shared intelligence with the United States warning of an imminent attack from Iran on targets in the kingdom.
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani did not identify the Wall Street Journal, but said last week that the reports in Western media of an Iranian threat against Saudi Arabia were "baseless accusations."
"If Iran decides to retaliate and punish, glass palaces will crumble and these countries will not experience stability anymore," Khatib added on Wednesday.
In response to the alleged threats, the United States said it will not hesitate to respond if necessary.
"We are concerned about the threat picture, and we remain in constant contact through military and intelligence channels with the Saudis," said a spokesperson for the National Security Council.
"We will not hesitate to act in the defense of our interests and partners in the region."
Reporting contributed by Dubai Newsroom.