Saudi Arabia defends against drone strikes from ‘Iran-backed’ groups | Conflict News
DEVELOPING STORY
Drones Target Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Iraq Amid Rising Tensions with Iran
By Al Jazeera Staff
Published July 27, 2026
Saudi Arabia has reported intercepting drones aimed at oil facilities in its eastern province and in Riyadh. The Saudi Foreign Ministry stated that the country “reserves the right to respond” to these attacks, which it attributed to Iran-affiliated armed groups operating in Iraq.
In a separate development, the Houthi rebels in Yemen announced Monday that they had targeted Saudi crude oil transport infrastructure. It remains unclear whether the two incidents were coordinated.
The drone attacks occur during a period of reduced hostilities between the United States and Iran. Mediators have indicated that prospects for renewed negotiations may be improving. Following two weeks of heightened tensions, U.S. officials have mentioned a possible shift in strategy, as Washington has suspended airstrikes on Iran. Iran, for its part, has also claimed to have halted attacks on U.S. allies in the Gulf.
However, the recent drone strikes in Saudi Arabia and other regions suggest that Iran may be testing the new stance of the U.S. government, indicating that affiliated armed groups may not be prepared to follow suit.
In addition to Saudi Arabia, drone attacks were reported in Jordan and Iraq on Monday. Jordanian officials stated that they shot down two drones, while Iraqi security sources reported strikes on camps housing Iranian-Kurdish opposition fighters in northern Iraq. Although officials did not specify the source of either attack, these areas have been the sites of conflict that resulted in the deaths of four U.S. service members in recent weeks.
Later on Monday, the Houthis announced that nine of their fighters had been killed during escalating military confrontations with Yemeni government forces, which are supported by a Saudi-led coalition.
