Since the 2026 Iran war began with United States and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February 2026, locations across Saudi Arabia have been subject to multiple retaliatory Iranian missile strikes. The strikes also targeted oil refineries in Saudi Arabia. In response, the Royal Saudi Air Force secretly carried out strikes on Iranian drone and missile-launch sites in Iran, and struck Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.[13]

Strikes

28 February

Following Israeli–United States strikes on Iran, loud explosions were reported in the eastern regions of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.[14] The foreign ministry of Saudi Arabia condemned the attacks and claimed that the attacks were repulsed.[15]

1 March

Saudi Arabia intercepted missiles aimed at the Prince Sultan Air Base and the Riyadh airport without any material losses.[16] Iranian forces launched a missile attack on a US base in Saudi Arabia, a US soldier died from injuries sustained eight days later.[7]

2 March

Saudi Arabia claimed to have intercepted two hostile drones aimed at the Ras Tanura oil refinery while a limited fire broke out due to falling shrapnel.[17] The refinery was briefly closed as a result of the attach, but it reopened on 13 March.[18]

3 March

The United States embassy in Riyadh was subject to an attack by two Iranian drones, which Saudi authorities confirmed and said had caused "limited fire and minor material damages." This came before the IRGC declared its intention to start destroying "American political centers" in the region, including the Riyadh embassy.[19]

4 March

The Aramco facility in Ras Tanura was hit for the second time by a projectile.[20] A USMC Lance Corporal Kevin Melendez was reported dead in a non-hostile incident.[8]

8 March

An Iranian drone strike, which the IRGC said targeted radar systems, hit a residential building in Al-Kharj, killing two people of Indian and Bangladeshi nationalities and injuring another 12 people.[6]

9 March

Saudi Arabia said that its forces had destroyed four drones targeting Shaybah oil field.[21]

10 March

The Rijal al-Bas al-Shadid, a group affiliated with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, launched rockets toward Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.[22]

12 March

Saudi Arabia intercepted a drone headed towards Shaybah oilfield.[23]

14 March

US officials told The Wall Street Journal that five U.S. Air Force refueling planes at Prince Sultan Air Base were struck and damaged by Iranian missiles in recent days.[10] The Saudi Ministry of Defense said that it intercepted seven drones that were headed to Riyadh and the Eastern Province.[24]

On 14 March, Formula One announced the cancellation of Saudi Arabian and Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 due to the breakout of the war.[25]

15 March

The Saudi Ministry of Defense said that it intercepted ten drones that were headed to Riyadh and the Eastern Province.[26]

18 March

The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced that it had intercepted a missile targeting Al-Kharj. No casualties were reported.[27]

19 March

The Saudi defense ministry said that a drone fell at the SAMREF refinery.[28][29] Greek ‌defense minister Nikos Dendias said that Greek-operated Patriot systems intercepted and destroyed two Iranian ballistic missiles targeting Saudi oil refineries.[3]

21 March

Three missiles were aimed at Riyadh. Two of the three fell in an uninhabited area.[30] Four drones were intercepted in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia.[31]

23 March

Saudi Ministry of Defense said missiles were fired from Iran, targeting Riyadh, one was intercepted while the other fell in inhabited are.[32] The Iranian Revolutionary Guards also released a video supposedly showing that they were sending missiles and drones at a US base in Saudi Arabia.[33]

24 March

The Saudi Ministry of Defense said that it intercepted a ballistic missile headed towards the eastern region of the country.[34]

27 March

An Iranian missile strike on Prince Sultan Air Base destroyed and damaged several US refueling aircraft,[35] including one Boeing E-3 Sentry[36] and at least one KC-135 Stratotanker on the ground.[37] According to U.S. officials, 29 US servicemen were wounded in attacks during the week.[9]

31 March

Saudi Arabia reported that six houses in Al-Kharj were lightly damaged from debris of intercepted drones.[38]

6 April

The Hellenic Army General Staff announced that Greek-operated Patriot systems intercepted a UAV.[39][40]

28 June

Two days after Aramco restarted operations at Ras Tanura after being halted from the 2026 Iran war, a Saudi Aramco helicopter crashed in Ras Tanura Airport, killing all 14 Saudi nationals onboard.[41]

Reactions

On 26 March 2026, Saudi Arabia along with the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan jointly condemned Iran and its affiliated armed groups in Iraq, and its attacks against countries in the region and their facilities and infrastructure.[42] The Saudi cabinet stated that it will take all necessary measures to defend Saudi Arabia's security, territory, citizens, and residents.[43] Saudi Arabia further condemned "Iran's attacks on civilian airports and oil infrastructure, calling them a violation of international law and a deliberate attempt to destabilize the region." As the attacks persisted, the Saudi foreign ministry warned that "if Iran presses ahead with its attacks, it would bear the heaviest diplomatic, economic, and strategic consequences, and be the biggest loser."[44] It was reported that a Saudi Arabian arms company signed to buy interceptor missiles from Ukraine.[45] Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, together with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, warned that continued Iranian attacks on other Gulf states may lead to a regional escalation.[46] On 21 March, Saudi Arabia expelled various Iranian defense officials, giving them 24 hours to leave the country.[47]

  • Pakistan: Pakistan's Foreign Minister stated that he reminded Iran of the mutual defense agreement they signed with Saudi Arabia in September 2025.[48] After the ceasefire Pakistan sent 13,000 troops and fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.[49]
  • United Kingdom: Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the Iranian strikes targeting Saudi Arabia, stating "Iranian strikes on Riyadh, including on the US embassy, are completely unacceptable. We condemn these reckless and destabilising attacks that target innocent civilians."[50]
  • United States: The United States Department of State ordered American employees and diplomats in Saudi Arabia to leave the country, citing safety risks.[51]
  • Greece: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the interception of Iranian missiles by Greek-operated Patriot systems "strictly defensive" and part of a bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia.[52]
  • G7: The foreign ministers of the G7 condemned Iran's "unjustifiable" and "reckless" attacks on sites in the region.[53]

Analysis

An analysis in Iran International suggests that Saudi Arabia, along with the United Arab Emirates, may be positioning themselves to for a more active role in fighting against Iran.[54]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "CIA station in Saudi capital hit in drone attack". The Washington Post. 3 March 2026. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  2. ↑ Ali, Faisal. "Pakistan sends fighter jets to Saudi Arabia amid fragile US-Iran ceasefire". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  3. 1 2 Papadimas, Lefteris (19 March 2026). "Greek-operated air defence system shoots down Iranian missiles over Saudi". Reuters. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  4. ↑ "Ukraine sends experts to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE amid Iranian drone strikes". The Kyiv Independent. 10 March 2026. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  5. ↑ "Saudi air defenses intercept 10 drones, 2 cruise missiles". Xinhua. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  6. 1 2 Fiona Kelliher; Caolán Magee. "Falling missile kills Indian and Bangladeshi in central Saudi Arabia". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Pentagon Announces Seventh U.S. Death in War With Iran: The service member killed was not publicly identified, but U.S. Central Command said the death was caused by injuries after an attack on a Saudi military base". The Washington Post. 9 March 2026.
  8. 1 2 "A dignified transfer of the remains of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Kevin Melendez, in Dover". Reuters Connect. 4 March 2026.
  9. 1 2 "At least 29 US troops wounded in Iranian attacks on Saudi base over past week". The Times of Israel. 28 March 2023.
  10. 1 2 "Iranian missile strike damaged 5 US refueling planes at Saudi airbase — WSJ". The Times of Israel. 13 March 2026. ISSN 0040-7909. Archived from the original on 14 March 2026. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  11. ↑ "AWACS from Tinker destroyed in Iranian strike overseas". The Oklahoman. 28 March 2026.
  12. ↑ "Aviation Safety Accident N°568488". 28 March 2026.
  13. ↑ Holliday, Jared Malsin, Summer Said and Shelby (16 May 2026). "How Secret U.A.E. and Saudi Strikes on Iran Shattered an Uneasy Coexistence". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 16 May 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ↑ "'Very scary and very loud': Residents in Riyadh, Manama recount explosion". Dawn. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  15. ↑ "Multiple Arab states that host US assets targeted in Iran retaliation". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  16. ↑ "Saudi Arabia intercepts missile attacks on airport, base — report". The Times of Israel. AFP. 1 March 2026. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  17. ↑ Dincel, Serdar (4 March 2026). "Saudi Arabia says it repelled drones attempting to strike Ras Tanura oil refinery". Anadolu Ajansi. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  18. ↑ "Aramco restarts Ras Tanura refinery after drone attack". Iran International. 18 March 2026. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  19. ↑ Hansler, Jennifer (3 March 2026). "US Embassy in Saudi Arabia struck by 2 suspected Iranian drones, no injuries reported". CNN. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  20. ↑ "Ras Tanura hit again as projectile strikes Saudi Aramco facility". The Economic Times. 4 March 2026. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  21. ↑ "Live updates: Mojtaba Khamenei has been chosen as Iran's new supreme leader". AP News. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  22. ↑ تايمز, يورو (10 March 2026). "فصائل عراقية مسلحة تتبنى إستهداف السعودية والبحرين بطائرات مسيّرة! - صحيفة يورو تايمز" (in Arabic). Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  23. ↑ "Saudi Arabia intercepts drone heading for Shaybah oilfield". Iran International. 12 March 2026. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  24. ↑ "Saudi defense ministry intercepts 7 drones in Riyadh and eastern regions". Iran International. 15 March 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  25. ↑ Cleeren, Filip (14 March 2026). "Bahrain and Saudi Arabia F1 races officially called off as Iran conflict rages". Autosport. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  26. ↑ "Saudi defense ministry intercepts 10 drones in Riyadh and eastern region". Iran International. 15 March 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  27. ↑ "Saudi air defenses intercept missile near Al-Kharj, no casualties". Iran International. 18 March 2026. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  28. ↑ Kivilcim, Elvan (19 February 2026). "Saudi Arabia's Samref Refinery Hit". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  29. ↑ "Saudi Arabia says drone fell at SAMREF refinery, damage under review". Iran International. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  30. ↑ "Three ballistic missiles fired at Riyadh, two fall in uninhabited area". Iran International. 22 March 2026. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  31. ↑ "Saudi Arabia says four drones intercepted over eastern region". Iran International. 22 March 2026. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  32. ↑ "Saudi Arabia and the UAE targeted in fresh attacks". The Hindu. AFP. 23 March 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  33. ↑ "Iran's Revolutionary Guards launch fresh attacks on US bases". Iran International. 23 March 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  34. ↑ "Saudi forces intercept ballistic missile targeting Eastern Region". Iran International. 25 March 2026. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  35. ↑ "Iran War Live Updates: Marco Rubio Says Iranian Tolls in Hormuz Would Be 'Dangerous to the World'". The Wall Street Journal. 27 March 2026. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  36. ↑ "AWACS from Tinker destroyed in Iranian strike overseas". The Oklahoman. 28 March 2026.
  37. ↑ "Aviation Safety Accident N°568488". 28 March 2026.
  38. ↑ "Damage in Saudi Arabia's Al-Kharj from drone interception debris". Iran International. 31 March 2026. Retrieved 31 March 2026.
  39. ↑ "Νέα επιτυχία της ΕΛΔΥΣΑ: Κατάρριψη δρόνου με Patriot". Δούρειος Ίππος. 6 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  40. ↑ E-Amyna [@e_amyna] (6 April 2026). "Σύμφωνα με σχετική ενημέρωση του ΓΕΕΘΑ" (Tweet) (in Greek) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  41. ↑ "Saudi Arabian helicopter crash kills 14". Sky News. 28 June 2026.
  42. ↑ "Six Arab Nations Issue Statement Condemning Attacks by Iran-aligned Iraqi Factions". Aawsat. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  43. ↑ Osgood, Brian. "US bases and embassies attacked as Iran ratchets up Gulf strikes". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  44. ↑ "Saudi fury grows as Iran attacks push Gulf to respond". The Jerusalem Post. 9 March 2026. Archived from the original on 9 March 2026. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  45. ↑ "Saudi arms firm signs deal for Ukrainian interceptor missiles - Kyiv Independent". Iran International. 10 March 2026. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  46. ↑ "Saudi, UAE leaders warn Iran attacks risk wider regional escalation". Iran International. 15 March 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  47. ↑ "Saudi Arabia expels Iranian defense staff over attacks". Iran International. 21 March 2026. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  48. ↑ "Pakistan says Saudi defense pact covers 'comprehensive spectrum' of cooperation". Arab News. 23 September 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  49. ↑ India, Press Trust of (11 April 2026). "Pakistan deploys 13,000 troops, fighter jets to Saudi Arabia". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  50. ↑ Osgood, Brian. "US bases and embassies attacked as Iran ratchets up Gulf strikes". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  51. ↑ "US Orders Diplomats in Saudi Arabia to Leave Due to Safety". 2026.
  52. ↑ "Mitsotakis defends Patriot interception in Saudi Arabia as 'strictly defensive'". Ekathimerini. 20 March 2026. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  53. ↑ "G7 foreign ministers condemn Iran's 'reckless' attacks on neighboring states". Iran International. 21 March 2026. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  54. ↑ "Persian Gulf states weighing deeper role in war against Iran - WSJ". Iran International. 24 March 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia_in_the_2026_Iran_war