Saudi Arabia intercepts and destroys Iran-linked drones targeting oil facilities

Saudi Arabia has said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed a number of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) launched from Iraqi territory targeting oil facilities in the kingdom. In a statement on Monday, the Saudi Ministry of Defence said the drones were shot down in recent hours before reaching oil facilities in the Eastern Province and the Riyadh region. The ministry added that the attempted attack originated from Iraqi territory and was carried out by “Iran-backed terrorist militias.” “Saudi Arabia has the right to defend itself, its territory, and critical infrastructure, and has the right to respond at the appropriate time and place,” the ministry said. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack, affirming the kingdom’s determination “to maintain its security and sovereignty, deter aggressors, and use its right to respond to the source of the attack.” The ministry also called on the Iraqi government to take all necessary measures to ensure its territory is not used as a launch point for attacks against Saudi Arabia. There has been no comment from Iraq regarding the Saudi statement. The incident comes despite a recent lull in direct military exchanges between the United States and Iran. On Sunday, an Iranian military spokesman said Tehran halted its military operations after the US stopped its attacks on Iran over the past two days. According to Axios, US President Donald Trump ordered his military to suspend further strikes against Iran after nearly two weeks of daily attacks. Tensions between the two countries have escalated in recent weeks, with Washington launching strikes against Iran and Tehran responding by targeting what it described as US military facilities and equipment in several countries across the region.