2026 Iranian strikes on Saudi Arabia

2026 Iranian strikes on Saudi Arabia
Part of the 2026 Iran war
2026 Iranian strikes on Saudi Arabia (Saudi Arabia)
Date28 February 2026 – present
Location
Riyadh and Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
Result

Ongoing

Belligerents
Iran Saudi Arabia
United States
Greece[1]
Units involved
See order of battle
Casualties and losses
Per Saudi Arabia:
10 Iranian drones and 2 cruise missiles shot down[3]		 Saudi Arabia
2 civilians killed
12 civilians injured[4]
United States
2 soldiers dead[5][6]
5 refueling aircraft damaged[7]

Since the 2026 Iran war began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February, locations across Saudi Arabia have been subject to multiple retaliatory Iranian missile strikes. The strikes also targeted oil refineries in Saudi Arabia.

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.[8] The foreign ministry of Saudi Arabia condemned the attacks and claimed that the attacks were repulsed.[9]

1 March

Saudi Arabia intercepted missiles aimed at the Prince Sultan Air Base and the Riyadh airport without any material losses.[10] Iranian forces launched a missile attack on a US base in Saudi Arabia, a US soldier died from injuries sustained eight days later.[11]

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.[12] The refinery was briefly closed as a result of the attach, but it reopened on 13 March.[13]

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.[14]

4 March

The Aramco facility in Ras Tanura was hit for the second time by a projectile.[15] A USMC Lance Corporal Kevin Melendez was reported dead in a non-hostile incident.[6]

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.[16]

9 March

Saudi Arabia said that its forces had destroyed four drones targeting Shaybah oil field.[17]

12 March

Saudi Arabia intercepted a drone headed towards Shaybah oilfield.[18]

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.[7] The Saudi Ministry of Defense said that it intercepted seven drones that were headed to Riyadh and the Eastern Province.[19]

15 March

The Saudi Ministry of Defense said that it intercepted ten drones that were headed to Riyadh and the Eastern Province.[20]

18 March

The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced that it had intercepted a missile targeting Al-Kharj. No casualties were reported.[21]

19 March

The Saudi defense ministry said that a drone fell at the SAMREF refinery.[22][23] Greek ‌defense minister Nikos Dendias said that Greek-operated Patriot systems intercepted and destroyed two Iranian ballistic missiles targeting Saudi oil refineries.[1]

Reactions

  • Saudi Arabia: The Saudi cabinet stated that it will take all necessary measures to defend Saudi Arabia's security, territory, citizens, and residents.[24] 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."[25] It was reported that a Saudi Arabian arms company signed to buy interceptor missiles from Ukraine.[26] 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.[27]
  • Pakistan: Pakistan's Foreign Minister stated that he reminded Iran of the mutual defense agreement they signed with Saudi Arabia in September 2025.[28]
  • 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."[29]
  • United States: The United States Department of State ordered American employees and diplomats in Saudi Arabia to leave the country, citing safety risks.[30]
  • 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.[31]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Papadimas, Lefteris (March 19, 2026). "Greek-operated air defence system shoots down Iranian missiles over Saudi". Reuters. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  2. ^ "CIA station in Saudi capital hit in drone attack". The Washington Post. 2026-03-03. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 2026-03-04. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  3. ^ "Saudi air defenses intercept 10 drones, 2 cruise missiles". Xinhua. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  4. ^ Fiona Kelliher; Caolán Magee. "Falling missile kills Indian and Bangladeshi in central Saudi Arabia". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ a b "A dignified transfer of the remains of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Kevin Melendez, in Dover". Reuters Connect. 4 March 2026.
  7. ^ a b "Iranian missile strike damaged 5 US refueling planes at Saudi airbase — WSJ". The Times of Israel. 2026-03-13. ISSN 0040-7909. Archived from the original on 2026-03-14. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  8. ^ "'Very scary and very loud': Residents in Riyadh, Manama recount explosion". Dawn. 2026-02-28. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
  9. ^ "Multiple Arab states that host US assets targeted in Iran retaliation". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 2026-03-06. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
  10. ^ "Saudi Arabia intercepts missile attacks on airport, base — report". The Times of Israel. AFP. 2026-03-01. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ Dincel, Serdar (2026-03-04). "Saudi Arabia says it repelled drones attempting to strike Ras Tanura oil refinery". Anadolu Ajansi. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
  13. ^ "Aramco restarts Ras Tanura refinery after drone attack". Iran International. 2026-03-18. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  14. ^ Hansler, Jennifer (2026-03-03). "US Embassy in Saudi Arabia struck by 2 suspected Iranian drones, no injuries reported". CNN. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
  15. ^ "Ras Tanura hit again as projectile strikes Saudi Aramco facility". The Economic Times. 2026-03-04. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  16. ^ Fiona Kelliher; Caolán Magee. "Falling missile kills Indian and Bangladeshi in central Saudi Arabia". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  17. ^ "Live updates: Mojtaba Khamenei has been chosen as Iran's new supreme leader". AP News. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
  18. ^ "Saudi Arabia intercepts drone heading for Shaybah oilfield". Iran International. 2026-03-12. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  19. ^ "Saudi defense ministry intercepts 7 drones in Riyadh and eastern regions". Iran International. 2026-03-15. Retrieved 2026-03-15.
  20. ^ "Saudi defense ministry intercepts 10 drones in Riyadh and eastern region". Iran International. 2026-03-15. Retrieved 2026-03-15.
  21. ^ "Saudi air defenses intercept missile near Al-Kharj, no casualties". Iran International. 2026-03-18. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  22. ^ Kivilcim, Elvan (February 19, 2026). "Saudi Arabia's Samref Refinery Hit". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  23. ^ "Saudi Arabia says drone fell at SAMREF refinery, damage under review". Iran International. 2026-03-19. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  24. ^ Osgood, Brian. "US bases and embassies attacked as Iran ratchets up Gulf strikes". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
  25. ^ "Saudi fury grows as Iran attacks push Gulf to respond | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2026-03-09. Archived from the original on 2026-03-09. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
  26. ^ "Saudi arms firm signs deal for Ukrainian interceptor missiles - Kyiv Independent". Iran International. 2026-03-10. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
  27. ^ "Saudi, UAE leaders warn Iran attacks risk wider regional escalation". Iran International. 2026-03-15. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  28. ^ "Pakistan says Saudi defense pact covers 'comprehensive spectrum' of cooperation". Arab News. 2025-09-23. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  29. ^ Osgood, Brian. "US bases and embassies attacked as Iran ratchets up Gulf strikes". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
  30. ^ "US Orders Diplomats in Saudi Arabia to Leave Due to Safety". 2026.
  31. ^ "Mitsotakis defends Patriot interception in Saudi Arabia as 'strictly defensive'". Ekathimerini. March 20, 2026. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
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