Saudi Arabia launched multiple strikes against Iran in retaliation for the Islamic republic’s missile and drone attacks on the kingdom during the war initiated by the US and Israel, people briefed on the matter said.
Riyadh carried out the attacks after Iran hit its energy facilities and other civilian infrastructure to show that it was willing to defend itself — but communicated to Tehran that it was not taking part in the broader US-Israeli military campaign against the republic.
The strikes underscore how the war rapidly spiralled into a regional conflagration after Iran lashed out against its Arab neighbours — which are vulnerable to its arsenal of shorter-range missiles — to raise the costs of the conflict to the US, its regional allies and the global economy.