Two Western officials and two Iranian officials told Reuters that Saudi Arabia carried out several undisclosed attacks against Iran in response to Iranian strikes targeting the Kingdom during the Middle East war.
The Saudi attacks, which had not previously been made public, mark the first direct military operation conducted by the Kingdom on Iranian territory, reflecting a growing willingness in Riyadh to defend itself against its principal regional rival.
According to the two Western officials, the strikes were carried out by the Royal Saudi Air Force and are believed to have taken place in late March. One official described them only as “raids in response to attacks targeting Saudi Arabia.”
Saudi Arabia maintains close military ties with the United States and has long depended on American military protection. However, Iranian attacks during the 10 week war reportedly penetrated the US military shield stationed across the Kingdom.
Gulf States Begin Responding Militarily
The Saudi strikes further expose the expanding scope of the conflict and the extent of Middle Eastern involvement in a war that began when the United States and Israel launched air strikes against Iran on 28 February through channels that were never formally acknowledged.
Following the American and Israeli attacks, Iran launched missile and drone strikes against all six Gulf Cooperation Council states. The attacks targeted not only American military bases, but also civilian sites, airports, and oil infrastructure. Tehran also closed the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global trade flows.
A report published Monday by The Wall Street Journal stated that the United Arab Emirates had also conducted military strikes against Iran.
The Saudi and Emirati operations reveal a broader regional confrontation whose true dimensions remained largely concealed, with Gulf states gradually moving from defensive positioning to direct retaliation against Iran.
The approaches taken by Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, however, were not identical. The UAE reportedly adopted a more hardline strategy aimed at inflicting costs on Iran, while rarely engaging in public diplomacy with Tehran.
Saudi Arabia, by contrast, has sought to prevent a wider escalation while maintaining regular communication channels with Iran, including through Tehran’s ambassador in Riyadh, who declined to comment.
A senior Saudi Foreign Ministry official did not directly address reports of a de escalation agreement with Iran but reaffirmed Riyadh’s official position, stating:
“Saudi Arabia reiterates its consistent support for de escalation, restraint, and reducing tensions in pursuit of stability, security, and prosperity for the region and its peoples.”
Strikes Followed by De Escalation Efforts
Iranian and Western officials stated that Saudi Arabia informed Tehran about the strikes before engaging in intensive diplomatic efforts accompanied by threats of further retaliation, eventually leading to an informal understanding between both sides aimed at reducing tensions.
Ali Vaez said the Saudi retaliatory strikes, followed by a de escalation understanding, reflected “a pragmatic recognition from both sides that uncontrolled escalation carries enormous costs.”
He added that the sequence of events did not reflect trust between the two sides, but rather “a shared interest in placing limits on confrontation before it develops into a wider regional conflict.”
The unofficial de escalation arrangement reportedly came into effect during the week preceding the 7 April ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran in the broader conflict. The White House did not issue any comment.
One Iranian official confirmed that Tehran and Riyadh had agreed to reduce tensions, describing the arrangement as an effort to “stop hostilities, protect shared interests, and calm tensions.”
Longstanding Rivalry Between Riyadh and Tehran
The conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia stretches back decades, with both states representing the principal Sunni and Shia power centres in the Middle East. Each side has historically backed rival groups across regional conflicts.
Relations improved following the Chinese brokered rapprochement agreement in 2023, which restored diplomatic ties between the two countries. The thaw also included a ceasefire between Saudi Arabia and the Iranian backed Houthi movement in Yemen, which remains in place.
Saudi Arabia was also able to continue exporting oil throughout the conflict due to the Red Sea remaining open to navigation, unlike the situation faced by several other Gulf states. This allowed Riyadh to maintain a degree of separation from the broader regional disruption.
Prince Turki Al Faisal: “We Avoided Destruction”
Turki Al Faisal summarised the Kingdom’s position in an opinion article published earlier this week in Arab News:
“When Iran and others attempted to drag the Kingdom into the furnace of destruction, our leadership chose to endure the pain caused by a neighbour in order to protect the lives and property of its citizens.”
The Saudi strikes came after weeks of escalating tensions.
During a press conference held in Riyadh on 19 March, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud stated that the Kingdom “reserves the right to take military action if necessary.”
Three days later, Saudi Arabia declared the Iranian military attaché and four embassy staff members persona non grata.
Iran Reduced Direct Attacks on Saudi Arabia
Western sources stated that by the end of March, diplomatic communication and Saudi threats to adopt a tougher stance similar to that of the UAE helped produce an understanding aimed at reducing escalation.
According to Reuters figures based on Saudi Defence Ministry data, attacks involving drones and missiles against Saudi Arabia declined from more than 105 attacks during the week of 25 to 31 March to just over 25 attacks between 1 and 6 April.
Western officials also indicated that projectiles launched at Saudi Arabia in the days preceding the comprehensive ceasefire appeared to have originated from Iraq rather than Iran itself. This suggested that Tehran had reduced direct attacks while allied groups continued military operations.
Saudi Arabia summoned the Iraqi ambassador on 12 April to protest attacks launched from Iraqi territory.
Communication between Riyadh and Tehran reportedly continued despite ongoing tensions. At the start of the wider ceasefire between Iran and the United States, the Saudi Defence Ministry announced that 31 drones and 16 missiles had been launched against the Kingdom on 7 and 8 April.
The escalation prompted Riyadh to consider retaliatory action against both Iran and Iraq, while Pakistan reportedly deployed fighter jets to reassure the Kingdom and urged restraint as diplomatic efforts accelerated.
