Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura oil refinery, one of the kingdom’s largest, temporarily halted operations on Monday following an attack by drones, the country’s defence ministry confirmed. Authorities said the incoming aircraft were intercepted before reaching critical infrastructure.
A Saudi military spokesman announced the interception on the state-run Saudi Press Agency. Online footage from the site showed thick black smoke rising. Even successfully intercepted drones can produce debris capable of starting fires and causing injuries. Ras Tanura, located near Dammam, has a daily crude oil production capacity exceeding half a million barrels.
War spreads across region, hitting Israel, Kuwait, and Gulf Arab states
The drone attack on Ras Tanura comes amid escalating violence between Iran, Iranian-backed militias, and Israel. On Monday, missiles fired by Iran and its proxies struck Israel and Arab states, reportedly hitting the US Embassy compound in Kuwait. In response, Israel and the United States carried out airstrikes on targets in Iran.
Amid rising smoke at the embassy compound, Kuwait’s defense ministry reported that “several” American warplanes also crashed in the country. Details about the crashes remain scarce, but the ministry confirmed that the pilots were hospitalised and in stable condition
Shortly before the embassy was hit, the US issued a warning advising Americans to take cover and for others to avoid the area. There were no immediate reports of casualties at the compound.
Iran and proxies maintain defiance amid strikes
Iranian security official Ali Larijani posted on X, “we will not negotiate with the United States,” underscoring Tehran’s defiance as US and Israeli airstrikes targeted missile sites, naval facilities, and Iranian military headquarters. Hezbollah joined the conflict from Lebanon, firing missiles into Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and repeated Israeli actions. Israeli officials said one missile was intercepted while others fell in open areas.In Lebanon, retaliatory Israeli strikes killed at least 31 people and injured 149 others, with the majority of casualties in the south. The Lebanese government convened an emergency meeting in response to the escalating violence.
US and Israel escalate military operations
The conflict intensified following the joint American-Israeli operation that killed Khamenei and senior Iranian officials over the weekend. US President Donald Trump vowed retribution for three American troops killed in Kuwait, stating, “Sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That’s the way it is.” He added that combat operations would continue until “all of our objectives are achieved,” without providing further details.
The US military reported that B-2 stealth bombers struck Iranian ballistic missile facilities using 2,000-pound bombs. Trump also claimed that nine Iranian warships had been sunk and the Iranian navy’s headquarters largely destroyed.
Regional impact and casualties
Iranian attacks extended beyond Israel, hitting Gulf Arab states. Three people were killed in the United Arab Emirates, and one each in Kuwait and Bahrain. Authorities said most Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted, though some debris caused fatalities and property damage.
In Iran, officials reported more than 200 deaths since the start of retaliatory strikes. Streets in Tehran were largely deserted as residents sought shelter, while paramilitary Basij forces set up checkpoints across the city.
In Israel, several locations were struck by Iranian missiles, including Jerusalem and a synagogue in Beit Shemesh, leaving nine dead and 28 wounded. The overall death toll in Israel has reached 11.
Calls for protection of civilians
Amid the intensifying war, the World Health Organization urged all parties to protect civilians and healthcare facilities. Hanan Balkhy, regional director at WHO, wrote on social media: “The protection of civilians and health care must be absolute. All parties must … ensure medical facilities remain protected.”
The conflict shows little sign of abating, with diplomatic interventions from Britain, France, and Germany emphasizing the need for restraint, while military operations continue across multiple fronts.>
