The strikes, reportedly carried out by the Saudi Air Force, mark the first known instance of Saudi Arabia directly conducting military action on Iranian soil.
Officials said the attacks were launched after Iran targeted Gulf states with missiles and drones following the outbreak of war that began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran.
The report said Iran later reduced direct attacks on Saudi Arabia after intensive diplomatic contacts and Saudi warnings of further retaliation, leading to an informal understanding between the two regional rivals to de-escalate tensions before a broader ceasefire took effect on April 7.
Saudi Arabia did not directly confirm the strikes. A senior Saudi foreign ministry official reiterated Riyadh’s support for de-escalation and regional stability but avoided commenting on the alleged military operations.
Iran’s foreign ministry also did not respond to requests for comment.
The conflict reportedly widened beyond public acknowledgment, with Gulf states including the United Arab Emirates also accused of carrying out strikes on Iranian territory.
According to officials, Iran targeted military bases, airports and oil facilities across Gulf Cooperation Council states and disrupted global trade by closing the Strait of Hormuz, a major global energy transit route.
Despite the tensions, diplomatic engagement between Riyadh and Tehran reportedly continued throughout the conflict, following the China-brokered restoration of ties between the two countries in 2023.
Former Saudi intelligence chief Turki al-Faisal wrote in an opinion piece that Saudi leadership chose restraint to protect the kingdom from being dragged into a “furnace of destruction”.
The report also said Pakistan deployed fighter jets to reassure Saudi Arabia during a spike in regional tensions and encouraged restraint as diplomatic efforts intensified.
