Saudi Defense Intercepts Large Iranian Attack: 18 Drones Downed in 20 Minutes

The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced today that its forces successfully repelled a broad Iranian attack, intercepting 18 drones in just 20 minutes. The official spokesperson for the ministry, Major General Turki Al-Malki, stated that 4 of these drones were intercepted in the Riyadh region and one in the Eastern Province.

Intensive Defensive Operations

Major General Al-Malki confirmed that the Royal Saudi Air Force and Air Defense Forces have managed to intercept and destroy a significant number of aerial threats in recent days. These included 56 ballistic missiles and 17 cruise missiles, all of which were destroyed before reaching their targets within the Kingdom. Additionally, 450 other drones attempting to breach Saudi airspace were intercepted.

Saudi Leadership in Missile Defense

Al-Malki emphasized that Saudi Arabia has become the first power in the world to successfully destroy cruise missiles, underscoring the high readiness of its defense systems and advanced interception capabilities. These capabilities ensure the Kingdom's security and the protection of its vital infrastructure.

Regional Escalation and Conflict Background

These defensive operations come amid unprecedented regional escalation, primarily stemming from the US-Israeli war on Iran, which began on February 28th. This escalation has been accompanied by a wave of Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting several Arab and regional countries.

Saudi Stance and Diplomacy

In a related development, media reports indicated that Saudi Arabia has informed Tehran of its preference for resolving the Iranian-US conflict through diplomatic channels. However, the Kingdom also stressed that it would respond militarily if Iranian attacks on its territory or energy facilities were repeated.

Mutual Statements and Regional Concern

Earlier, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps announced in a statement that it had targeted the Al-Kharj base, where American fighter jets are stationed. In response, Iran's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, stated that his country's relations with the Gulf Arab states require "serious review" in light of the ongoing war. This tension has reflected on Gulf stock markets, which experienced declines as the war entered its third week.

The Saudi Ministry of Defense had previously announced the downing of 10 Iranian drones in the Kingdom's airspace, and the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces intercepted 6 ballistic missiles launched towards the Al-Kharj governorate. The US-Israeli war on Iran continues, raising international concerns about energy security and regional stability.