Trump threatens to ‘obliterate’ Iran’s power plants if Hormuz not reopened in 48 hours

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Saturday Israel’s failure to intercept missiles over the heavily protected Dimona area shows the conflict has entered a “new stage,” declaring that “the sky of Israel is defenceless” and signalling that pre-planned operations will follow.

In a post on X, Ghalibaf said the time had come to implement the next steps of Iran’s strategy, congratulating the Iranian people on the new year.

Saudi Arabia on Saturday ordered Iran’s military attaché in Riyadh, his deputy and three other embassy staff to leave within 24 hours, declaring them persona non grata over what it called Tehran’s “flagrant” attacks on the kingdom, Gulf states and other Arab and Muslim countries.

The foreign ministry said continued Iranian strikes on Saudi sovereignty, civilians, economic interests and diplomatic premises violate international law, the Beijing agreement and a recent UN Security Council resolution, vowing to take all necessary measures to protect its territory and people.

Britain said on Saturday its Royal Air Force Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus will not be used under its agreement allowing the United States to launch strikes on Iranian missile sites from UK bases, after Prime Minister Keir Starmer assured Cyprus that its security was “fundamental” to London, Reuters reported.

The UK has instead authorized the use of RAF Fairford in England and the Diego Garcia base, while stressing it will not take part in offensive operations and does not want to be drawn into a wider conflict with Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday Israel will continue hitting its enemies “on all fronts” after what he calls a “very difficult evening,” following the Iranian missile strike on Dimona.

"I strengthen the emergency and rescue forces operating in the field right now, and I call on everyone to heed the instructions of the Home Front Command," he posted on X. "We are determined to continue to strike our enemies on all fronts."

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said it has declared the Iranian embassy’s military attaché, his deputy, and three diplomats persona non grata, giving them 24 hours to leave the country.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has notified the Military Attaché at the Embassy, the Assistant Military Attaché, and three members of the Mission's staff to leave the Kingdom as persona non grata, and that they must leave the Kingdom within 24 hours," it said in a statement.

"Iran's continued aggression means further escalation and will have a significant impact on relations now and in the future," the statement said.