As the US-Israeli war on Iran continues to reshape the political landscape across the Middle East, governments across the region are facing growing tensions, uncertainty, and public scrutiny. In Saudi Arabia, the authorities are responding by further tightening security measures and expanding surveillance, according to human rights activist Ameen Nemer.

Ameen Nemer is a Saudi human rights activist who has closely followed the political situation in the Gulf and the impact of regional conflicts on people’s rights and freedoms. In this interview, conducted on 29 March 2026, he discusses Saudi Arabia’s position in the current war, the role of US military bases in the region, the economic consequences of escalating conflict, and the increasing restrictions on freedom of expression and political activity.

Interview conducted by Irang Bak, journalist, activist, and member of the MENA Solidarity Editorial Board.

Q. Saudi Arabia, where does it stand in the current war in the region?

A. I will start from 7th October and where Saudi Arabia stands. There are many observers who mention that Saudi Arabia often has a different policy from what it publicly states. What they state is not necessarily what they mean, because there is no free press or free media in Saudi Arabia. What we see is often a reflection of what they want as their foreign policy.

That is perhaps a good starting point to describe where Saudi Arabia is heading, although it is not 100% accurate. Still, you can see that the general writing tends towards something specific, which, as I mentioned, reflects its foreign policy.

For example, you may see a Saudi writer thanking Netanyahu, and we know there is no free press, yet he is not arrested. I do not want him to be arrested, of course, but if someone writes something supporting Palestine, they would be arrested.

If someone goes to the holy city of Makkah and shouts something in support of Palestine, they would be arrested. That is the concern. Yet you see certain narratives in the Saudi media, and everything appears fine. So why is that? That is, I would say, a starting point for understanding Saudi involvement in the war.

Q. What about the Saudi involvement?

A. If you check the media over the last four weeks, Iran has attacked more than one American base. They have stated that they are not attacking their neighbours or Muslim countries, but are specifically targeting the locations from which attacks against them originated.

Trump said there were only minor damages, such as scratches, and that the aircraft systems were fine. But that does not seem accurate. Other sources report injuries and possibly deaths—more than 12 American soldiers, with some transported to Germany for treatment.

As for the future, Saudi involvement can be understood through statements made by Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan. He made two key points during a press conference.

First, he said there is a limit to their patience. Secondly, he said it is not moral to attack your neighbour, which brings us back to 2015, when the Saudis launched an attack on Yemen.

So the question becomes: what exactly is being said here? Who claims that Iran is attacking Saudi Arabia? Iran has stated that it is targeting locations from which missiles and jets are launched.

Saudi Arabia has said it will not allow these to be used, but with tools like FlightRadar24, satellite imagery, and even AI analysis, people can observe aircraft movements and military preparations. This information is no longer limited to mainstream media. You can see the aircraft and where they are heading. You can see satellite images, and with AI, it can even identify what type of aircraft they are.

So, looking at this before the war—the militarisation of the area—you know there will be a war. That is what Saudi military airbases are there for: to do a job. They are not there for a picnic. And the Saudis, unfortunately, may at some point be dragged into it. Not because they want to, and not because they do not know the consequences, but because they may not have a choice.

Q. How is the Saudi regime responding?

A. I would give an example from Bahrain before moving on to Saudi Arabia. In Bahrain, about three days ago—you may have seen the news—someone was tortured to death. So that’s an example of how far a regime can go. In Saudi Arabia, the protests stopped around 2014. Taking part in protests had its consequences, and arrests have not stopped since 2014.

Now, I’m talking about my area, but also about Saudi Arabia in general. A state agency said that taking photos or filming is a crime, but I know this is used as a threat against people. It is very rare to find footage of drones or missiles in the Saudi sky. That’s because of the tight security measures. They use technology to track people.

For example, you cannot have a mobile SIM card without linking it to your fingerprint. That’s how strict it is. Once it is linked, they know who is using that number. It basically functions like an ID, like a serial number. If they want to trace you, they can. We have already seen in Lebanon and Gaza how drones and AI are used for surveillance and even targeted killings.

So the level of monitoring and surveillance in Saudi Arabia is massive. They don’t openly say it, but I can assure you that it is.

That doesn’t mean people are not brave. But the majority will avoid putting themselves at risk. Some people may not fully understand the extent of the surveillance, to be honest, while others try to find ways around it—such as using VPNs and other methods.

But overall, the level of political oppression is still there. Arrests are still happening. The threat from the regime—not to share or speak about what’s going on—is still there.

Q. What about economic impact and resources like oil and water?

A. The effect on the economy is still at the beginning—this is week four—and in the Strait of Hormuz, prices are already rising. I think the price of a barrel is now around 103 US dollars, and it is still increasing. As the war continues, it will definitely go higher and higher. With plans for boots on the ground, that would be a boom—a boost—to oil prices.

People in the Gulf, not only in Saudi Arabia, depend on desalination for their water supply. So that is another essential source of survival if you do not have natural water. It is the main source of living. Even in cases like Israel’s control of the Golan Heights, or Lake Tiberias with Jordan, water is a key factor. And if you think about other regions in the south, again, there is water.

So it is not only about expansion—yes, there is talk about expanding “Greater Israel”—but water is also a critical underlying factor.

Q. What is the general mood of people, and what do people think about US military bases?

A. I can say that people understand who the aggressor is and who the attacker is. They know who is taking money from this region and who has been creating wars over the last five decades.

Iranians themselves have more experience with the US, with Mossadeq, and with the CIA. So they understand what they are dealing with. That is something remarkable—seeing people who have been very critical of their political system, but who, at this time, understand what is going on.

These military bases are bringing insecurity to us. How are they protecting us, and from whom? We have lived in this region with Iran for centuries, but these bases have come from overseas. So what are they doing here?

For an activist or someone who observes closely, seeing that there are more than 700 American bases around the world raises the question: why? It reflects an empire. A normal person might not analyse it that way, but they can still see that these bases have not brought security. Instead, we are now being attacked and warned not to film or take photos. Why? People take photos even for everyday incidents, like accidents on the street. That’s how an ordinary person would see it.