Saudi Arabia carried out a series of undisclosed air strikes on Iran in late March in retaliation for attacks on Saudi soil during the Middle East conflict, Reuters reported citing sources.The attack marked Saudi Arabia’s first direct military action on Iranian soil and highlighted a major shift in the country’s attitude towards its main regional rival.The conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched air strikes on Iran. In the following weeks, Iran struck all six Gulf Cooperation Council countries with missiles and drones, attacking U.S. military bases, civilian sites, airports and oil infrastructure, while also closing the Strait of Hormuz and disrupting global trade.Despite its close military ties with the United States, Saudi Arabia found itself vulnerable during the 10-week war as attacks pierced the U.S. security umbrella.One Western official said the Saudi air force attack was “a tit-for-tat strike in retaliation for attacks on Saudi Arabia.”The attacks reflect the widening scope of conflicts across the Middle East and shine a light on regional rivalries that remain largely invisible to the public. The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that the United Arab Emirates also carried out military strikes against Iran.The Saudi and Emirati actions together signal the Gulf monarchy’s military response after being attacked by Iran. However, their methods differ.The UAE has taken a tougher stance, seeking to impose costs on Iran and engaging in little public diplomacy with Tehran. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, seeks to contain the conflict and is in regular contact with Iranian officials, including through Tehran’s ambassador to Riyadh, who did not respond to requests for comment.Saudi Arabia informed Iran of the attack, leading to intensive diplomatic contacts and warnings of further retaliation, according to Iranian and Western officials. These exchanges eventually led to an understanding between the two countries that eased tensions.Ali Vaez, director of the Iran program at the International Crisis Group, said Saudi Arabia’s retaliatory strikes after the situation de-escalated would “demonstrate a pragmatic understanding on both sides that uncontrolled escalation will bring unacceptable costs.”Such a sequence would reflect “not trust but a shared interest in limiting confrontation before it escalates into a broader regional conflict,” he was quoted as saying by Reuters.The informal de-escalation comes a week before Washington and Tehran agree on a ceasefire in the wider conflict on April 7. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.On March 19, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan stated at a press conference in Riyadh that Saudi Arabia “reserves the right to take military action when necessary.”Three days later, Saudi Arabia declared the Iranian military attaché and four embassy staff persona non grata.A senior Saudi Foreign Ministry official did not directly mention whether a de-escalation understanding had been reached with Iran, but said, “We reaffirm Saudi Arabia’s consistent position of advocating de-escalation, self-restraint and easing tensions in pursuit of stability, security and prosperity for the region and its people.”According to reports, there were more than 105 drone and missile attacks against Saudi Arabia during the week of March 25-31. Between April 1 and 6, that number dropped to just over 25.
