Riyadh, May 13, 2026 — In a significant and largely unpublicized escalation, Saudi Arabia carried out multiple airstrikes on Iranian territory in late March 2026, marking the first known direct military strike by the Kingdom against Iran on its soil.
According to a Reuters exclusive report, the Saudi Air Force targeted Iranian sites in retaliation for waves of Iranian missiles and drones launched at Saudi Arabia. The Iranian attacks, part of Tehran’s broader response to U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, hit military installations including Prince Sultan Air Base, oil facilities, and even areas near the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh. Those strikes caused damage to infrastructure, injured U.S. personnel, and marked a dangerous expansion of the regional conflict.
Saudi officials reportedly issued advance warnings to Iran before the strikes, aiming to limit escalation while demonstrating resolve. The operation was kept covert, with neither Riyadh nor Tehran publicly acknowledging the exchanges. Backchannel diplomacy followed, leading to an informal understanding that helped reduce direct Iranian strikes on Saudi territory, though proxy attacks from Iraqi militias persisted at a lower intensity.
This episode occurred amid the wider 2026 Iran conflict, which erupted after U.S. and Israeli forces began major strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets on February 28. Iran responded with widespread missile and drone barrages across the region, targeting Israel, American bases, and Gulf Arab states. The involvement of Saudi Arabia as a direct participant underscores the growing assertiveness of Gulf nations facing threats from Tehran and its proxies.
Western officials briefed on the matter, along with Iranian sources, confirmed the strikes to Reuters. Reports also suggest possible covert participation by the United Arab Emirates in related actions. The de-escalation that followed contributed to the eventual U.S.-Iran ceasefire around April 7–8, though tensions remain high with ongoing concerns over the Strait of Hormuz and potential renewed hostilities.
The strikes highlight a shifting regional dynamic where Gulf states, traditionally reliant on U.S. protection, are increasingly willing to take independent action to safeguard their security and interests.
As the situation continues to evolve rapidly, analysts warn that any miscalculation could reignite full-scale confrontation in the Middle East. Both sides have so far avoided public confirmation, likely to preserve diplomatic space and prevent further escalation.
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