image sourced from original article at Saudi Arabia carried out secret airstrikes on Iran in late March in retaliation for missile and drone attacks on the kingdom during a wider Middle East conflict, according to sources cited by Reuters. The strikes marked the first known instance of Saudi military action on Iranian soil, signaling a significant shift in its approach toward its regional rival.
The broader conflict began after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28. Iran responded by targeting all six Gulf Cooperation Council states, hitting military bases, airports, oil infrastructure, and civilian sites, while also disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. More than 105 drone and missile attacks struck Saudi Arabia in a single week, exposing vulnerabilities despite its close ties with Washington.
Saudi officials reportedly informed Iran of the retaliatory strikes, triggering intense diplomatic engagement and warnings of further action. The exchanges led to an informal understanding to de-escalate, with attacks on Saudi Arabia dropping sharply in early April. The de-escalation took effect shortly before Washington and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire on April 7, reflecting what analysts described as a shared interest in preventing a wider regional war.
