Riyadh: Saudi Arabia issued a stern caution to Iran on Saturday, warning against “misguided calculations” as hostilities escalate across West Asia. The warning follows a surge in Iranian retaliatory missile and drone strikes targeting Israel, U.S. military positions, and Arab states across the Gulf.
Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud delivered the message following high-level discussions with Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. The Minister urged Tehran to “act with wisdom and reason” to avoid further inflaming an already volatile regional landscape.
Air Defence Systems Intercept Multiple Threats
The Saudi Defence Ministry confirmed that its air defence units remain on high alert, successfully neutralizing several incoming attacks aimed at critical infrastructure and military sites:
- Prince Sultan Air Base: Forces intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile targeting the facility southeast of Riyadh.
- Riyadh & Environs: Personnel shot down four drones—three in eastern Riyadh and one to the northeast—on Friday alone.
- Kharj: Air defences intercepted a cruise missile over the city.
- Energy Infrastructure: The Ras Tanura oil refinery, which processes over 500,000 barrels of crude per day, survived a drone assault after military units downed the aircraft before they could impact the site.
Attacks on Diplomatic and Civilian Zones
The conflict reached the heart of the capital earlier this week when Iranian drones struck the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh.
“Two drones struck the compound, causing limited fire and minor structural damage,” a Defence Ministry spokesperson confirmed via social media.
Following the strike, the U.S. Embassy issued a formal advisory urging American citizens to avoid the compound as a precautionary measure.
Regional Strategic Outlook
The sheer volume of the assault—involving hundreds of ballistic missiles and thousands of drones—has forced a shift in regional security posture. While Saudi Arabia continues to successfully intercept the majority of threats, the persistent targeting of civilian and energy hubs like Ras Tanura keeps global oil markets on edge.
Officials from the Saudi Press Agency emphasized that the Kingdom remains committed to defending its sovereignty while seeking to prevent a total regional breakdown through diplomatic pressure and high-readiness defence.
