Saudi Arabia intercepts drones targeting key oil facilities

Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed several drones launched from Iraqi territory on Monday as they attempted to strike oil facilities in the kingdom’s Eastern Province and the capital Riyadh, according to the Ministry of Defense.

The Saudi Arabia drone attack prompted the kingdom’s air defenses to engage multiple aerial threats over the past few hours, military spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Malki said in a statement. He attributed the attacks to Iran-backed militias operating from Iraq and said Saudi Arabia reserves the right to respond in accordance with international law. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the incident. No armed group in Iraq has claimed responsibility.

The attack came as the United States paused its air strikes against Iran for a third consecutive night after 13 days of intensive bombardment. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran’s position remains based on reciprocity, stating that if attacks stop, Iran will also halt its operations. The message was reportedly conveyed to Washington.

A regional official involved in mediation efforts described the mutual pause as a positive signal that could support de-escalation. Diplomatic discussions are focused on restoring the provisional ceasefire reached in mid-June while negotiators continue talks over easing restrictions on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

At the same time, Saudi Arabia is facing pressure from multiple fronts. Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen launched missiles and drones on Saturday against Saudi Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu along the Red Sea coast. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the strikes were retaliation for Saudi actions and warned that the group could intensify its campaign.

The latest incident follows a series of drone attacks originating from Iraq during the five-month conflict. In May, Saudi Arabia intercepted three drones launched from Iraqi territory and summoned Iraq’s ambassador in Riyadh. Gulf allies including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait condemned those attacks. According to assessments cited by The Wall Street Journal in April, as many as half of the nearly 1,000 drone attacks against Saudi Arabia during the conflict originated from Iraq.

The 60-day interim understanding between the United States and Iran has now entered its second half. However, the future of Iran’s nuclear program remains unresolved as mediators seek to prevent a return to wider regional hostilities.