Saudi Arabia launched multiple, unpublicized airstrikes on Iran in late March in retaliation for Iranian attacks on the kingdom during the ongoing Middle East war, according to Western and Iranian officials.
The strikes represent the first known direct Saudi military action on Iranian soil, signaling a more aggressive posture from Riyadh. The United Arab Emirates also conducted strikes on Iran’s Lavan Island refinery last month, as first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Since the US-Israeli air campaign against Iran began on Feb 28, Iran has attacked all six Gulf Cooperation Council states, targeting military bases, civilian infrastructure, and oil facilities, and closing the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Arabia and Iran subsequently reached an informal de-escalation understanding before the broader US-Iran ceasefire on Apr 7. The agreement aimed to halt hostilities and prevent further escalation, though tensions remain high. Prince Turki al-Faisal wrote that the kingdom chose to endure neighborly attacks to avoid being drawn into a "furnace of destruction."