Saudi Arabia launched covert strikes on Iran during Middle East conflict: Report

Saudi Arabia secretly launched retaliatory airstrikes inside Iran during the recent Middle East conflict after missile and drone attacks targeted the kingdom, Reuters reported on Tuesday citing Western and Iranian officials.

According to the report, the strikes were carried out by the Saudi Air Force in late March and marked the first known instance of Riyadh directly conducting military action on Iranian soil. The specific targets of the attacks could not be independently confirmed.

The covert operation came amid escalating regional tensions following the wider conflict that began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. During the hostilities, Iran launched missiles and drones at all six Gulf Cooperation Council states, targeting not only U.S. military bases but also civilian sites, airports, and oil infrastructure, while closing the Strait of Hormuz and disrupting global trade.

Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia responded with “tit-for-tat” strikes after repeated attacks on its territory.

While Saudi officials did not directly confirm the strikes, the kingdom reiterated its position in favour of de-escalation and regional stability.

“We reaffirm Saudi Arabia’s consistent position advocating de-escalation, self-restraint and the reduction of tensions,” a senior Saudi foreign ministry official told Reuters.

The Iranian foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

The report said the retaliatory strikes were followed by intensive diplomatic engagement between Riyadh and Tehran, eventually leading to an informal understanding aimed at preventing a broader regional confrontation.

One Iranian official quoted by Reuters said both sides agreed to “cease hostilities, safeguard mutual interests and prevent escalation.”

Analysts believe the developments reflect a major shift in Saudi Arabia’s security posture. Traditionally reliant on the United States for regional defence, Riyadh appears to have adopted a more assertive military approach after repeated attacks exposed vulnerabilities in the Gulf region.

The report also suggested that Gulf countries affected by Iranian strikes had begun responding militarily. The United Arab Emirates was also reported to have carried out operations targeting Iran during the conflict.

Despite the retaliatory action, Saudi Arabia reportedly maintained diplomatic communication with Tehran throughout the crisis. The kingdom is said to have preferred limiting escalation while keeping channels of dialogue open.

The tensions come despite a China-brokered rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023, which restored diplomatic ties after years of hostility and proxy conflicts across the region.

Reuters reported that the number of missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia sharply declined after the retaliatory strikes and subsequent diplomatic engagement.

Regional security concerns, however, remain high, particularly over attacks allegedly launched from Iraq by Iran-backed groups during the closing phase of the conflict.

The developments underscore the growing volatility in the Gulf region and highlight how the conflict has drawn multiple regional powers into direct and indirect confrontation while diplomatic efforts continue to prevent a wider war.

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