May 13, 2026
Saudi Arabia launched covert strikes on Irancovert strikes on Iran in retaliation during Middle East war
Saudi Arabia conducted numerous unpublicized strikes on Iran in retaliation for attacks on the kingdom during a widening Middle East war, sources including Western and Iranian officials confirmed on May 12-13, 2026.
Saudi warplanes also bombed Tehran-backed militias in Iraq, with additional retaliatory strikes from Kuwait. The revelations highlight escalating regional involvement and challenge Saudi claims of de-escalation, risking broader conflict.
Western Officials
Saudi Arabia carried out targeted, unpublicized strikes on Iran to counter attacks on its territory amid the regional war. These actions responded directly to Iranian aggression and aimed to deter further escalation. Officials note the operations remained covert to avoid public confrontation.
Saudi Position
Saudi Arabia maintains a firm stance on de-escalation, self-restraint, and reducing tensions for regional stability. Officials did not confirm specific strikes but reaffirmed commitment to security without addressing retaliation details. The focus remains on pursuing peace amid ongoing threats.
Iranian Officials
Iran acknowledges Saudi strikes as part of retaliatory exchanges during the Middle East war. These actions followed attacks on Saudi territory linked to Iranian interests. Officials view them as escalatory but confirm their occurrence through shared intelligence.
- Saudi Arabia and Iran have been regional rivals since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, competing for influence across the Middle East.
- Kuwait's participation in retaliatory strikes reflects broader Gulf Cooperation Council alignment against Iranian regional expansion.
- Covert military operations allow states to respond to aggression while maintaining plausible deniability and avoiding formal declarations of war.
US-Iran-Israel War
US, Israeli, and Iranian forces remain in a direct military confrontation that has spread across the Gulf, with the Strait of Hormuz and regional energy infrastructure at the center of the conflict.
