Key facts
- Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed drones launched from Iraq.
- Targets included oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh.
- Yemen's Houthis claimed responsibility for the drone attacks.
- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq denied carrying out the strikes.
- Kuwait condemned the attacks as a violation of Saudi sovereignty.
- Iraq's Prime Minister ordered an investigation into the drone launch claims.
Saudi Arabia's air defenses intercepted and destroyed multiple drones launched from Iraq that were targeting oil facilities in the kingdom's Eastern Province and Riyadh, the Saudi Defence Ministry announced. The ministry stated that Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq were responsible for launching the drones. Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis claimed responsibility for drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure, with their military spokesman Yahya Saree stating that sensitive targets involved in crude oil supply and transport were struck. Saree added that the operation was in response to Saudi drone incursions into Yemeni airspace. Saudi Arabia has re-routed its crude output to the Red Sea oil export hub of Yanbu via its east-west pipeline to bypass Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The Houthis had previously threatened to extend disruptions to global oil supplies to the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, reaffirming the kingdom's right to respond to the sources of aggression and deter those responsible. The ministry also urged the Iraqi government to take all necessary measures to prevent its territory from being used as a launchpad for attacks against Saudi Arabia. Major General Turki Al-Maliki, the official spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, described the attempts as terrorist attacks targeting the Kingdom's vital infrastructure. Kuwait has condemned attempted drone strikes targeting petroleum facilities in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province and the capital Riyadh, describing them as a flagrant violation of the kingdom's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Kuwait's foreign ministry stated the drones were launched by militias in Iraq and that the attack breached international law, the UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolution 2817. Kuwait reaffirmed its full support for Saudi Arabia, saying the kingdom's security is an inseparable part of Kuwait's own security and that of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi called on Monday for an investigation into Saudi Arabia's claim that drones targeting its territory had been launched by pro-Iran groups in Iraq, his spokesman said. Zaidi directed "the competent security authorities to investigate the statement issued by the ministry of defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the targeting of the kingdom with drones launched from Iraqi territory", spokesman Sabah al-Numan said in a statement. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has “strongly” condemned drone attacks against Saudi Arabia, saying that "such provocative attacks pose a grave threat to peace and stability across the entire region." In a statement posted on X, Islamabad reaffirmed its “unwavering support” for the kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peace and prosperity, and added that it will continue taking all possible steps to support lasting peace and stability in the region. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, discussed regional security and bilateral developments with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, and the Omani foreign minister in separate phone calls on Monday evening. The calls followed Saudi Arabia's interception of drones launched from Iraq by Iran-affiliated groups. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq rejected allegations that it carried out drone attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, stating that the accusation "only strengthens our conviction that hostility towards Iraq and its people is an inherent characteristic of this regime." The group added that these fabrications are an attempt to justify their inability to respond to the "painful Yemeni strikes" and warned that any "foolish action" by the kingdom would be met with a "harsh response."