Saudi Arabia covertly launched strikes on Iran during war, sources say

Saudi Arabia launched covert airstrikes on Iran in late March, the first confirmed direct military action by the kingdom against the Islamic Republic, according to two Western and two Iranian officials. The strikes were described as a retaliatory response to Iranian attacks on Saudi territory during the ongoing war, reflecting a shift toward more aggressive self-defense amid vulnerabilities exposed by the conflict. The Saudi Air Force conducted the operations, though specific targets remain unverified. A senior Saudi foreign ministry official declined to confirm the strikes when contacted, while Iran’s foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally, has historically relied on American military protection, but recent Iranian missile and drone strikes—targeting civilian sites, airports, and oil infrastructure across Gulf Cooperation Council states—have strained regional security. The UAE has also engaged in secret strikes against Iran, including a coordinated attack with Israel on Iran’s South Pars petrochemical complex following Tehran’s April 5 strike on Emirati facilities. Bloomberg reported earlier this week that the UAE carried out multiple strikes before and after the April 8 ceasefire, with intelligence-sharing and missile interception efforts playing a central role in their cooperation. Iran’s defense ministry confirmed it fired over 2,750 missiles and drones at the UAE alone, making it the most-targeted Gulf state alongside Israel. Despite the ceasefire, Iranian attacks on the UAE reportedly resumed last week, signaling a potential escalation. Israel deployed an Iron Dome battery to the UAE to counter renewed threats, according to American officials. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has maintained diplomatic channels with Iran, including through Tehran’s ambassador in Riyadh, though efforts to de-escalate the conflict remain unclear. The strikes underscore a broader regional shift, with Gulf states increasingly taking independent action against Iran rather than relying solely on U.S. or Israeli support. The disclosure of these operations highlights the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the growing risk of further military engagement in the region.