Saudi Arabia has engaged in unpublicized strikes against Iran, acting as a retaliatory measure for attacks launched against the kingdom amid the ongoing Middle East war. The disclosures, attributed to two Western officials familiar with the matter and two Iranian officials, reveal a deepening entanglement of regional powers.
This covert action by Saudi Arabia escalates a conflict that has seen Iran launch drone and missile assaults on the kingdom, targeting infrastructure including oil refineries. A significant increase in these attacks was noted in the week of March 25-31, with over 105 incidents reported, before a notable decrease in the following week. Saudi Arabia has officially condemned Iran's actions, framing them as destabilizing and in violation of international law. The kingdom has also warned of severe diplomatic, economic, and strategic consequences should Iran persist with its attacks.
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The subterranean campaign by Riyadh coincides with a period of heightened tensions that began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran. Regional allies, including Saudi Arabia and Israel, had reportedly advocated for these initial strikes, despite U.S. intelligence assessments that did not indicate an imminent threat. The U.S. itself has seen its personnel impacted, with a U.S. soldier dying from injuries sustained after an Iranian missile attack on a U.S. base in Saudi Arabia.
The wider implications of this expanding conflict are becoming apparent. Saudi Arabia has summoned Iraq's ambassador to protest attacks originating from Iraqi territory, signaling a potential spillover. Furthermore, Formula One announced the cancellation of its 2026 Saudi Arabian and Bahrain Grand Prix events due to the unfolding hostilities. Several Arab states hosting U.S. assets have been targeted in Iranian retaliatory actions.
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In the aftermath of the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes, Saudi Arabia had voiced "great concern" and led calls for restraint and de-escalation. However, this recent revelation of covert strikes suggests a strategic shift, moving beyond diplomatic appeals towards direct, albeit unacknowledged, military engagement. The situation has drawn international attention, with the G7 condemning Iran's "unjustifiable" and "reckless" attacks. The United States, in response to the risks, ordered American employees and diplomats in Saudi Arabia to leave the country.
