Saudi Arabia faced another night of tension as Saudi air defenses intercepted a new wave of drones launched toward the capital. The incident occurred early Sunday as regional tensions with Iran continued to escalate.
Authorities confirmed that Saudi air defenses destroyed 13 drones east of Riyadh. Meanwhile, defense systems also shot down eight more drones shortly after they crossed into Saudi airspace. Officials said the interceptions prevented potential damage to residential and strategic areas.
However, the latest incident did not happen in isolation. Instead, it followed several days of similar attacks targeting Saudi infrastructure and military facilities. As a result, security forces remained on high alert across the Kingdom.
On Saturday, defense systems intercepted another large group of drones heading toward the Shaybah oil field. This facility sits deep inside the Rub’ al-Khali desert and plays an important role in Saudi Arabia’s energy sector. Defense units destroyed 21 drones before they could reach their target.
At the same time, authorities confirmed that five ballistic missiles targeted Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj. This area lies about 80 kilometers southeast of Riyadh and serves as an important industrial and military zone. Defense units quickly intercepted the missiles and prevented major damage.
Furthermore, officials revealed that the attempted strike marked the third attack on the base within three days. These repeated incidents increased concerns about the growing regional confrontation.
Meanwhile, Iran recently attempted to ease tensions with neighboring Gulf countries. In a televised statement, the Iranian president apologized to regional states affected by recent military actions. He also said Iran would stop strikes unless attacks against Iran originated from neighboring territory.
Nevertheless, military officials in Iran later clarified the statement. They explained that Iranian forces would avoid targeting nearby countries only if those territories did not host operations against Iran. Therefore, many regional leaders questioned the sincerity of the apology.
Across the Gulf region, several countries reported incidents connected to intercepted drones. In Dubai, debris from a destroyed drone caused minor damage to a building in Dubai Marina. Fortunately, authorities confirmed that no injuries occurred.
However, the situation appeared more serious in Bahrain. Authorities reported that debris from an intercepted attack started a fire in Manama. The fire damaged a residential home and nearby buildings before emergency crews controlled the situation.
Inside Saudi Arabia, authorities continue to focus on protecting both civilians and critical infrastructure. Security forces increased surveillance near industrial zones and key energy facilities. As a result, Saudi air defenses remain a central part of the country’s response strategy.
International reactions quickly followed the latest attacks. The United States warned that Iran could face severe consequences if the aggression continued. Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council held an emergency meeting in Riyadh.
During the meeting, member states reaffirmed their right to defend their territories against regional threats. Leaders also emphasized the importance of stability and security across the Gulf.
Despite diplomatic signals from Tehran, the ongoing drone activity suggests that tensions remain far from resolved.
