Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned Iran’s recent military actions across the Gulf, confirming that Iranian forces directly targeted Riyadh and the kingdom’s eastern region in a significant escalation of hostilities.
In a statement issued by the Saudi Foreign Ministry and reported by Al Jazeera, the Kingdom said the attacks were successfully intercepted by its air defence systems.
“These attacks cannot be justified under any pretext or in any way,” the statement read, noting that Iran had been aware that Saudi Arabia would not permit its airspace or territory to be used for operations against Tehran.
The confirmation marks a major development in the rapidly evolving crisis, with Riyadh moving beyond expressions of solidarity with its Gulf neighbours to acknowledging that it was directly targeted.
The escalation follows coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel on multiple sites inside Iran. Washington and Tel Aviv described the operation as a strategic move to degrade Iran’s military capabilities and neutralise perceived threats. Tehran, however, denounced the strikes as violations of its sovereignty and vowed a decisive response.
Within hours of the offensive, Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US assets across the region. Air defence systems were activated in several Gulf capitals, with reports of explosions and intercepted projectiles.
Iran had earlier warned that any attack on its territory would prompt it to treat American bases in the region as legitimate targets. Despite caution from some Middle Eastern countries, the US proceeded with its military action.
The confirmation that Riyadh and the eastern region were also targeted has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict.
Saudi Arabia’s position reflects a delicate strategic balance. As a longstanding security partner of the United States, the Kingdom remains aligned with Washington’s defence posture. At the same time, Riyadh has in recent years sought to ease tensions with Tehran after decades of geopolitical rivalry.
The latest developments place Saudi Arabia in a sensitive position, supporting its allies while confronting direct security threats within its borders.
The confrontation builds on longstanding tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme and proxy conflicts in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, alongside repeated flare-ups involving Israel and Iran. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate have repeatedly stalled, leaving the region vulnerable to sudden escalation.
Analysts warn that continued hostilities could destabilise energy markets, disrupt global trade routes, and further strain an already fragile regional security environment.
With military exchanges intensifying and rhetoric hardening, the Middle East faces a critical moment. Whether diplomacy can regain momentum remains uncertain, but the risks for Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, and the wider international community are increasingly pronounced, as several air routes to and from the region have been grounded.
