With The Presence Of Saudi Arabia, Iran's Minister Of Intelligence Calls Persistence Can End

JAKARTA - Iran's intelligence minister told its regional 'competitive' Saudi Arabia on Wednesday there was no guarantee Tehran would not run out of its strategic patience, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

"Until now, Iran has adopted strategic patience with firm rationality, but cannot guarantee that it will not end if hostilities continue," Fars quoted Esmail Khatib as saying.

"If Iran decides to retaliate and punish, the glass palace will collapse and these countries will no longer experience stability."

Iran has accused foreign enemies of fomenting violent unrest since the death of Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in police custody in September, following her arrest for allegedly violating the dress code imposed on women.

Protests by Iranians from all walks of life have mushroomed into one of the biggest challenges for Iranian clerical leaders since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Last month, Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) head Hossein Salami warned Saudi Arabia to control its media.

"I warn the family of the Saudi rulers. Pay attention to your behavior and control this media. Otherwise, you will pay the price," he said, according to Iranian state media.

"This is our last warning, because you are interfering in our state affairs through this media. We say, be careful," said Salami.

Last week Iran denied that it was a threat to Saudi Arabia, after the Wall Street Journal reported Riyadh had shared intelligence with the United States, to warn of attacks from Iran against targets in the kingdom.