Representative image credits: AP
Saudi Arabia carried out a series of unannounced air strikes on Iran in late March in response to attacks inside the kingdom during the conflict in the Middle East, according to sources cited by Reuters.These strikes represent the first known instance of Saudi Arabia conducting direct military action on Iranian territory, underscoring a major shift in the kingdom’s approach toward its main regional rival.The conflict began after the United States and Israel launched air strikes on Iran on February 28. In the weeks that followed, Iran targeted all six Gulf Cooperation Council states with missiles and drones, striking US military bases, civilian sites, airports, and oil infrastructure, while also closing the Strait of Hormuz and disrupting global trade.Saudi Arabia, despite its close military relationship with the United States, found itself vulnerable when attacks penetrated the American security umbrella during the 10-week war.A Western official said that the Saudi air force strikes were carried out as “exchange strikes in response to the strike on Saudi Arabia.”The strikes reflected the widening scope of conflict across the Middle East and revealed a regional confrontation that had largely remained out of public view.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that the United Arab Emirates also carried out military strikes on Iran.Together, Saudi and Emirati actions showed that the Gulf monarchies are responding militarily after being subjected to an Iranian attack. However, their methods differed.The United Arab Emirates has adopted a harder line, seeking to impose costs on Iran and rarely engaging in public diplomacy with Tehran. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has sought to contain the conflict and has remained in regular contact with Iranian officials, including through Tehran’s ambassador in Riyadh, who did not respond to a request for comment.According to Iranian and Western officials, Saudi Arabia notified Iran of the strikes, leading to intense diplomatic outreach and Saudi warnings of further retaliation. The exchanges ultimately resulted in an understanding between the two countries to reduce the escalation.Ali Fayez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, said Saudi retaliatory strikes followed by de-escalation “would demonstrate practical recognition on both sides that uncontrolled escalation carries unacceptable costs.”He added that such a sequence does not reflect “trust, but rather the common interest in imposing limits on the confrontation before it turns into a broader regional conflict.”The informal truce took effect in the week before Washington and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire in their broader conflict on April 7. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.At a press conference in Riyadh on March 19, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that the kingdom “reserves the right to take military measures if it deems it necessary.”Three days later, Saudi Arabia declared the Iranian military attaché and four embassy employees persona non grata.A senior Saudi Foreign Ministry official did not directly address whether a de-escalation understanding had been reached with Iran, but said: “We reaffirm the firm position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which calls for stopping the escalation, restraint, and reducing tensions in an effort to achieve stability, security, and prosperity for the region and its people.”According to reports, more than 105 drone and missile attacks targeted Saudi Arabia during the week of March 25-31. From April 1 to 6, the number dropped to just over 25.
