Saudi forces intercept and neutralise missile threat outside Al-Kharj.
RIYADH: Saudi Defence Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki said three cruise missiles were intercepted and destroyed outside Al-Kharj, southeast of Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia earlier warned that it reserves the “full right” to respond to what it described as blatant Iranian aggression after a series of drone and missile strikes targeted the Kingdom.
The warning, carried by the Saudi Press Agency, was issued following a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday night chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia intercepted a drone targeting its massive Ras Tanura refinery, the defence ministry said, following an earlier strike on the complex along the Kingdom’s Gulf coast this week.
“Initial estimates indicate that the attack was carried out by a drone and did not result in any damage,” the ministry said in a statement posted on X.
The Cabinet condemned what it described as “blatant Iranian aggression” and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s solidarity with Gulf states affected by the attacks.
The escalation also included a direct drone strike on the US Embassy compound in Riyadh, which Saudi officials said caused a limited fire and minor material damage.
Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesman for the Ministry of Defence, said Saudi air defences intercepted multiple threats, including eight drones targeting Riyadh and Al-Kharj early Tuesday.
