Riyadh, March 22 — Saudi defence officials said they intercepted and neutralised several aerial threats, reporting that air defences shot down four drones over the Eastern Province. The action followed a series of attempted strikes on residential and economic areas, the Ministry of Defence said.
The announcement came hours after the military reported that forces had also intercepted a ballistic missile over Riyadh. Saudi authorities tied the incidents to what they described as repeated attacks by Iran against the Kingdom and other Gulf states amid the wider conflict involving the United States and Israel.
Early on the morning of the clashes, the Saudi Civil Defence issued a public alert about a potential aerial threat but rescinded the warning seven minutes later after authorities assessed the danger had passed.
In an official statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned what it called “blatant Iranian attacks” on Saudi Arabia, Gulf Cooperation Council members and other Arab and Islamic countries. The ministry argued that Iran’s actions—targeting Saudi sovereignty, civilian sites, economic interests and diplomatic premises—constitute a breach of international conventions, the Beijing Agreement and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, and run counter to principles of good neighbourliness.
The foreign ministry added that the strikes contradict the values of Islamic brotherhood Tehran publicly espouses and warned that continued aggression risks further escalation with serious consequences for bilateral and regional relations.
In response, Riyadh declared the Iranian military attache, the assistant military attache and three mission staff members personae non gratae and ordered them to leave the Kingdom within 24 hours. Saudi officials said the Kingdom will take all necessary measures to protect its territory, airspace, citizens, residents and interests, invoking Article 51 of the UN Charter to affirm its right to self-defence.
This report is based on statements from Saudi authorities and was distributed via newswire (ANI). The Tribune published the feed as received and bears no responsibility for independent verification of the content.
