Saudi Arabia’s Covert Strikes on Iran Reportedly Met with Nuclear Threats
Saudi Arabia secretly launched retaliatory strikes against Iran during the recent regional conflict, marking a major escalation in Gulf involvement in the war, according to multiple reports citing Western and regional officials.
The covert attacks reportedly came after Iranian missile and drone strikes targeted Saudi oil facilities, infrastructure and military sites earlier this year. Riyadh had initially attempted to stay out of the conflict sparked by U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear program, but later responded militarily as Iranian attacks intensified across the Gulf.
According to reports, Iranian officials warned Gulf states that further cooperation with attacks on Iran could trigger severe retaliation, including renewed nuclear escalation. Tehran has repeatedly accused Saudi Arabia and the UAE of supporting Western military operations in the region.
The revelations highlight the collapse of recent détente efforts between Tehran and Riyadh, including the China-brokered normalization deal reached in 2023. Analysts say the conflict has pushed Gulf states into a more direct military role while increasing fears of a wider regional war and threats to global energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
