Saudi Arabia, UAE Strike Iran in Retaliation for Late-March Attacks
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 12
Saudi Arabia, UAE Strike Iran in Retaliation for Late-March Attacks
7 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 12
Late-March strikes by Saudi Arabia and the UAE hit Iran in retaliation for Iranian attacks, according to Reuters and a Wall Street Journal report cited in the latest account.
The Saudi operation would mark the first known direct Saudi strike on Iranian territory, a major shift for Gulf states that have usually relied on U.S. protection.
The attacks came after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran began in late February, leaving Gulf states exposed even as Riyadh stayed in contact with Tehran and sought de-escalation.
The disclosure underscores how the Iran war is widening beyond Washington and Israel, with the conflict already in its third month and reshaping regional security calculations.
Did Saudi Arabia's direct strikes forge a new path to peace or just a temporary pause in a wider war?
With U.S. influence waning, can a new four-nation security pact truly stabilize the volatile Middle East?
As the world's worst energy crisis deepens, can global markets survive a prolonged Strait of Hormuz closure?
Gulf Under Fire: Saudi Arabia’s Defensive Restraint and Economic Fallout Amid 2026 US-Israel-Iran War
Overview
In March 2026, after an Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, Iran escalated the conflict by launching massive missile and drone attacks across the Gulf, targeting energy sites and key infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and neighboring states. These attacks followed earlier US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, leading to a regional crisis that disrupted global energy supplies and strained Gulf air defenses. Despite absorbing heavy attacks, Saudi Arabia chose not to retaliate, focusing on defense and new partnerships. This restraint contributed to a gradual de-escalation, highlighting the shifting security strategies and economic vulnerabilities of Gulf states.