Inside Saudi Arabia’s first direct strike on Iran: How a secret ‘tit-for-tat’ operation forced a shaky peace

3 min read Updated: May 13, 2026 05:00 PM IST A Saudi fighter jet accompanies Air Force One, carrying US President Donald Trump, on approach to the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025. (REUTERS) Saudi Arabia launched a series of covert retaliatory strikes on Iranian territory in late March after facing missile and drone attacks during the wider Middle East conflict, news agency Reuters reported, citing two Western officials and two Iranian officials. The strikes, reportedly carried out by the Saudi Air Force, mark the first known instance of Riyadh directly targeting Iran militarily. Reuters said it could not independently verify the targets hit in the operation. The reported attacks came amid the regional fallout of the conflict that began after the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28. Since then, Iran has targeted Gulf states with missiles and drones, hitting military installations, airports, civilian infrastructure and oil facilities, while also disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran attacks declined after late-March strikes According to the report, Saudi Arabia informed Tehran about the strikes through diplomatic channels and warned of further retaliation if attacks continued. This was followed by intensive backchannel engagement between the two countries, eventually leading to an informal understanding to de-escalate tensions. F-15SA fighter jets are seen during a graduation ceremony and air show marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of King Faisal Air College in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (REUTERS File) Saudi officials did not directly confirm the strikes. However, a senior Saudi foreign ministry official reiterated Riyadh’s position favouring “de-escalation, self-restraint and the reduction of tensions” to ensure regional stability. The report also said the United Arab Emirates carried out separate military strikes on Iran, signalling that Gulf monarchies had begun responding more aggressively after coming under repeated attacks. Saudi Arabia continued diplomatic engagement with Iran While the UAE reportedly adopted a more hawkish approach, Saudi Arabia continued diplomatic engagement with Tehran even as tensions escalated. Iran and Saudi Arabia, long-time regional rivals backing opposing sides in conflicts across the Middle East, restored diplomatic ties in 2023 under a China-brokered agreement. Story continues below this ad Reuters reported that Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia declined sharply after the late-March escalation. A tally of Saudi defence ministry statements showed more than 105 drone and missile attacks between March 25 and 31, dropping to just over 25 in the following week. However, tensions persisted. Saudi Arabia later accused Iraq-based groups of launching projectiles at the kingdom, summoning Baghdad’s ambassador in protest. The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd Tags: Iran War Middle East conflict Saudi Arabia Tehran