Saudi Arabia has reportedly carried out several covert airstrikes against Iran in retaliation for attacks it suffered on its territory during the ongoing regional war, according to Western and Iranian officials cited by Reuters. These operations, which had never been disclosed before, would mark a major escalation in tensions between the two rival Gulf powers.
According to sources interviewed, the strikes were carried out in late March by the Saudi air force. Western officials described the operations as "retaliatory strikes" following bombings targeting the Saudi kingdom. Reuters, however, noted that it was unable to confirm the exact targets hit within Iran.
If confirmed, this would be Riyadh's first known direct military action against Iran. This development would signal a significant shift in Saudi strategy, with the kingdom appearing to adopt a more aggressive stance toward its main regional rival.
Tensions between the two countries had eased somewhat in recent years thanks to re-established diplomatic channels with Chinese support. According to several sources, these diplomatic exchanges have continued despite renewed hostilities and Saudi warnings of further reprisals in the event of additional attacks.
The situation was also reportedly exacerbated by attacks launched from Iraq, severely straining the fragile rapprochement between Riyadh and Tehran. According to a Reuters tally, Iranian strikes against Saudi Arabia decreased following alleged retaliatory strikes by the kingdom.
When questioned by Reuters, a senior Saudi Foreign Ministry official did not directly confirm the existence of the strikes. This lack of a clear denial, however, fuels speculation about Saudi Arabia's growing involvement in the regional conflict, as the war in the Middle East continues to escalate and alarm the international community.
Community
Comments
Comments are open, but protected against spam. Initial posts and comments containing links undergo manual review.
Be the first to comment on this article.