Saudi Arabia allegedly carried out covert airstrikes on Iranian territory in response to attacks launched against the kingdom during a recent Middle East war, according to a Reuters report.
The report, citing two Western officials and two Iranian officials, said the operations were conducted by the Saudi air force in late March but were not publicly disclosed at the time. The strikes were reportedly kept secret as the kingdom, a close United States ally, maintained an official position of neutrality in the wider conflict.
If confirmed, the operation would mark the first known instance of Saudi Arabia directly conducting military strikes inside Iran.
The specific targets of the alleged attacks were not identified.
Separate reporting by The Telegraph also claimed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) conducted its own strikes on Iranian territory during the same period.
According to that report, the UAE operations occurred around the time U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire following a five-week escalation between Iran and Israel-linked forces and Western allies in the region.
Iran had previously claimed responsibility for attacks across six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, saying it targeted U.S. military installations. However, several civilian infrastructure sites, including airports and oil facilities, were also reportedly hit, with disruptions extending to maritime activity in the Strait of Hormuz.
The UAE government has acknowledged its right to respond to attacks but has denied carrying out offensive strikes against Iran. However, U.S. media reports, including the Wall Street Journal, alleged that Emirati forces struck an oil refinery on Iran’s Lavan Island in early April.
In contrast, Saudi officials reportedly took a more discreet approach, with Iranian and Western sources claiming Riyadh alerted Tehran before the strikes. That communication was followed by diplomatic backchannels and warnings of further retaliation, which ultimately contributed to a de-escalation of tensions.
A Reuters tally of Saudi defence ministry statements indicated a sharp drop in Iranian attacks on the kingdom — from more than 105 drone and missile strikes between March 25 and March 31 to just over 25 between April 1 and April 6.
The reported decline in hostilities came shortly before Washington and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire on April 7, easing fears of a broader regional war.
Iran and Saudi Arabia have long been regional rivals, supporting opposing sides in conflicts across the Middle East, though recent diplomatic engagements had already begun reducing tensions before the latest escalation.