Saudi Arabia has warned Iran that it could endanger the whole Gulf region if it does not resolve the problems in its “international relations”, a reference to Iran’s increasingly tense standoff with the United States over its nuclear programme and its role in Iraq.

“We have advised them not to expose the region to dangers,” said King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, the Saudi monarch. “We do not interfere in anyone’s affairs, [but] any state which resorts to unwise acts will have to bear the responsibility in front of the other countries in the region.”