Saudi military readiness has been elevated to full alert following a series of attacks on the kingdom’s energy infrastructure, underscoring the intensifying tensions across the Gulf.
A source close to the Saudi army confirmed to AFP on March 2 that the military had moved to maximum readiness after drone strikes targeted the Ras Tanura Refinery. The facility, one of the largest oil refineries in the world, was forced into a partial shutdown after the strikes, which occurred amid a broader escalation of regional hostilities. Operated by state oil company Saudi Aramco, Ras Tanura handles roughly 550,000 barrels per day and functions as a major export hub for the kingdom’s crude oil. The refinery sits along the eastern Gulf coast, a strategic region housing the majority of Saudi Arabia’s oil production and lying directly across the water from Iran.
An initial report indicated that the drone strikes caused a fire at Ras Tanura, which was successfully contained. The attack marks a rare direct threat to a facility of such scale and significance, raising immediate concerns about the stability of Saudi oil output and global energy markets.
A source familiar with Saudi decision-making told AFP that the government’s response will depend on whether the strikes are deemed a direct act ordered by Iran or an isolated incident. “It depends if this is seen as a direct attack on Aramco by the Iranian leadership or a rogue drone that just came close,” the source said. “At this stage I think Saudi will watch and wait.”
At the same time, officials have not ruled out military retaliation. The source indicated that if Iran were perceived to be conducting a coordinated campaign against Saudi oil facilities, the kingdom could respond by targeting Iranian energy infrastructure. A defense ministry spokesperson later confirmed that two drones had attempted to strike Ras Tanura but were intercepted before causing further damage.
Security analysts have characterized the attack as a significant escalation in the Gulf conflict. Torbjorn Soltvedt, a risk analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, said: “The attack on Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura refinery marks a serious escalation, with Gulf energy infrastructure now squarely in Iran’s sights. This development is likely to push Saudi Arabia and neighboring Gulf states closer to cooperation with US and Israeli operations against Iran.”
The tension extends beyond the eastern coast. Near Riyadh, Iranian missiles targeting a base housing US personnel were reportedly intercepted. Sources indicate the base has been targeted three times in three days. Saudi authorities condemned strikes aimed at Riyadh and the eastern region, affirming the kingdom’s right to defend itself, including through retaliatory measures.
Saudi oil infrastructure has faced repeated threats in the past. In 2019, Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched aerial assaults on two Aramco facilities in the east, temporarily cutting roughly half of the kingdom’s crude production. In 2022, drone strikes targeted the YASREF refinery in Yanbu on the Red Sea.
The latest attacks highlight the vulnerability of the Gulf’s energy sector and the broader implications for global oil supply. With the region under renewed threat, analysts warn that instability in Saudi Arabia could reverberate across energy markets, heightening the risk of a larger regional confrontation.
