Riyadh: Saudi Arabia announced Friday that it successfully intercepted and destroyed 20 drones that breached its airspace overnight. The Defense Ministry communicated through statements on the US social media platform X, specifying that 19 drones were intercepted in the eastern regions and one in the Al-Jawf region.

According to Anadolu Agency, this development unfolds amidst heightened regional tensions following a joint offensive by the US and Israel on Iran on February 28, which resulted in approximately 1,300 casualties, including the then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran has launched drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf nations housing US military forces. These strikes have led to casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions in global markets and aviation.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized on Thursday that Iran was misjudging the Gulf states' capabilities if it believed that they were unable to respond effectively to its actions. He warned that Iranian assaults on Gulf nations would yield no benefits for Tehran and would instead exacerbate its isolation. Prince Faisal further noted that trust between Iran and the Gulf states had deteriorated due to repeated attacks and violations of good neighborly principles.