Another Country Has Secretly Attacked Iran
- 13.05.2026, 8:32
The strikes were carried out on an "eye for an eye" basis.
Saudi Arabia has launched a series of unannounced airstrikes on Iranian territory amid a major war in the Middle East. This is reported by Reuters, citing informed sources. This is the first known instance of the Saudi military directly striking Iranian territory.
Two Western officials said the Saudi air force attacks occurred in late March and were "tit-for-tat strikes" following Iranian attacks on the kingdom's territory.
The agency could not confirm the exact targets of the strikes. The Saudi side has not officially confirmed the operation, and Iran's Foreign Ministry did not respond to reporters' inquiries.
The war extends beyond Iran and Israel
According to Reuters, the conflict widened significantly after the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28. In response, Tehran attacked all six states of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Iran has struck not only U.S. bases, but also civilian infrastructure, airports and oil facilities. Tehran also blocked the Strait of Hormuz, causing problems in global trade.
Riyadh and Tehran agreed to de-escalate
After the strikes, intensive diplomatic contacts between Saudi Arabia and Iran began. Iranian and Western officials said the sides eventually reached an informal de-escalation agreement.
One Iranian official said the deal was aimed at "ending hostilities, protecting mutual interests and preventing further escalation."
The informal truce went into effect about a week before the U.S. and Iran agreed to a broader cease-fire on April 7.
On the eve of the strikes, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the kingdom reserved the right to respond militarily.
Riyadh subsequently expelled an Iranian military attaché and four diplomats.
Reuters calculates that Saudi Arabia was hit by more than 105 missile and drone attacks between March 25 and March 31. Already in early April, the number of strikes had significantly decreased.
The former head of Saudi intelligence, Prince Turki al-Faisal, wrote in a column for Arab News that the kingdom's leadership was consciously trying to avoid dragging the country into the "furnace of destruction."