Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has intercepted and destroyed 36 drones since early Thursday in the Riyadh region and the Eastern Province, according to the Defense Ministry.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Defense Ministry reported that the country's air defense systems also successfully intercepted two ballistic missiles launched toward the Eastern Province and a third missile targeting Yanbu port. A drone incident was also recorded at the Samref oil refinery, where damage is currently being assessed.

In response to these threats, the General Directorate of Civil Defense issued three early warnings on Thursday morning. The alerts covered potential threats in the Eastern Province, Yanbu governorate in the west, and Al-Kharj governorate in central Saudi Arabia. Authorities have not reported any casualties resulting from these incidents.

The escalation in the region follows a joint offensive by the US and Israel on Iran on February 28, which resulted in the death of approximately 1,300 people, including the then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran has been launching drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf nations that host US military bases. These retaliatory strikes have caused casualties, infrastructure damage, and have disrupted global markets and aviation.