Saudi Arabia says 92 drones intercepted as regional tensions escalate

ISTANBUL

Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 92 drones from Iran on Monday, as US-Israeli attacks on Tehran and Iranian retaliatory strikes continued.

In a series of statements, the Saudi Defense Ministry said 76 drones targeted the Eastern Province in separate waves on Monday, but were shot down by air defense systems.

The attacks came shortly after the ministry said that three drones targeting Riyadh and the Eastern Province were intercepted.

The ministry also said that 13 more drones were shot down in Kharj in central Saudi Arabia.

No information was given about casualties or damage.

Regional escalation has raged since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran since Feb. 28, killing so far around 1,200 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries, which it says are targeting “US military assets.” Some of these attacks have caused casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, including airports, ports and buildings.

ISTANBUL

Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 92 drones from Iran on Monday, as US-Israeli attacks on Tehran and Iranian retaliatory strikes continued.

In a series of statements, the Saudi Defense Ministry said 76 drones targeted the Eastern Province in separate waves on Monday, but were shot down by air defense systems.

The attacks came shortly after the ministry said that three drones targeting Riyadh and the Eastern Province were intercepted.

The ministry also said that 13 more drones were shot down in Kharj in central Saudi Arabia.

No information was given about casualties or damage.

Regional escalation has raged since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran since Feb. 28, killing so far around 1,200 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.