Saudi air defenses intercept 35 drones in Eastern Region since early Tuesday

2026-03-24 - 08:19

Saudi Arabia says its air defense systems intercepted 35 drone attacks in the Eastern Region since early Tuesday. This came in separate posts issued by the Saudi Defense Ministry on X, highlighting the sustained threat to Gulf states from Iran's retaliatory campaign. Sustained campaign The Eastern Region is home to critical Saudi energy infrastructure, including major oil fields and processing facilities. The repeated drone attacks have kept Saudi air defenses on high alert throughout the conflict. Conflict context Hostilities in the region have escalated since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on Feb. 28, killing over 1,340 people according to Iranian authorities, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran has retaliated with repeated drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. Saudi Arabia has been among the most frequently targeted Gulf states, with its forces intercepting hundreds of projectiles since the war began. Regional defense Gulf states continue to rely heavily on their air defense systems while attempting to avoid direct involvement in the US-Israeli campaign. The sustained interceptions have tested regional capabilities and raised concerns about potential supply depletion.