Saudi Arabia Intercepts Multiple Ballistic Missiles, Drones in Major Defence Operation

Saudi Arabia’s air defence forces have shot down a wave of ballistic missiles and drones fired toward the kingdom as the Middle East conflict escalates, officials said on Wednesday, highlighting rising regional instability and ongoing threats to critical infrastructure. (Arab News)

According to the Saudi Ministry of Defense, at least seven ballistic missiles were intercepted and destroyed, including six aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base — a major military installation in Al‑Kharj — and one that was heading toward the Eastern Province. Additionally, Saudi air defences knocked down more than 20 attack drones targeting key locations including the Shaybah oil field in the Empty Quarter, Al‑Kharj, Hafar Al‑Batin, and other parts of the Eastern Province. (Arab News)

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Prince Sultan Air Base, used by both Saudi and allied forces, has been a repeated target in recent days as Iran and allied factions intensify cross‑border attacks in retaliation against US‑Israeli military operations in Iran that began in late February. These strikes are part of a broader barrage of missile and drone attacks across the Gulf region, complicating security and defence efforts for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. (Al Jazeera)

The Saudi government has vowed to protect its sovereignty and security, with the cabinet condemning the attacks on the kingdom and neighbouring states. In a recent session chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, officials reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to take “all necessary measures” to safeguard its territory and citizens from external threats. (Arab News PK)

The ongoing barrage has also threatened energy infrastructure and global oil markets. Brent crude prices surged earlier in the week — hitting historic highs before stabilising — as oil supplies from the Gulf region face disruption due to hostilities and shipping risks through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil and LNG normally flows. (The Guardian)

Amin Nasser, CEO of Saudi Aramco, warned that continued disruptions could have “catastrophic consequences for the world’s oil markets,” stressing that prolonged instability would worsen the impact on global energy supply chains. (Arab News PK)

The conflict, which shows no immediate sign of abating despite statements from US President Donald Trump suggesting it could be drawing to a close, is expected to persist for months. Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has made clear that any end to hostilities will be decided on its terms. (Arab News PK)

Saudi Arabia Intercepts Multiple Ballistic Missiles, Drones in Major Defence Operation

Iran Continues Crude Oil Exports to China Despite Middle East Conflict

Iran has maintained a steady flow of crude oil exports to China despite escalating Middle East tensions and threats to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor. Since the outbreak of the conflict on February 28, 2026, Iranian vessels have transported at least 11.7 million barrels of crude oil to China, according to satellite-based tanker tracking data cited by CNBC and independent monitoring firms.

The Strait of Hormuz normally carries about 20 percent of global seaborne oil and LNG supplies, but the ongoing conflict involving US and Israeli military strikes has caused many international tankers to avoid the route due to the threat of attacks and naval mines. Despite this, Iranian tankers, including some that “went dark” by switching off tracking systems, have continued transporting crude to Chinese ports, highlighting Beijing’s reliance on Iranian oil.

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Maritime intelligence firms, such as TankerTrackers and Kpler, reported that multiple tankers have transited the strait in recent weeks. One supertanker flagged in Guyana carrying around 2 million barrels of crude recently passed through the strait en route to China, contributing to the total exports that now exceed 11 million barrels since the conflict began.

China remains Iran’s largest oil buyer, with long-standing contracts and strategic energy ties that have continued despite sanctions and heightened geopolitical risks. While Iranian crude continues flowing to China, other regional exporters, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq, have scaled back shipments due to conflict-related risks.

The sustained flow of Iranian oil through the Strait of Hormuz occurs even as global energy markets face rising freight costs, higher insurance premiums, and supply volatility. Analysts warn that continued disruptions could exacerbate fuel price spikes and threaten energy security for importing nations.

The ongoing exports underscore Iran’s determination to preserve vital revenue streams while China secures diverse crude sources amid global uncertainty, reflecting the resilience of their bilateral energy relationship even during a regional crisis.

Iran Continues Crude Oil Exports to China Despite Middle East Conflict

Iran Security Chief Fires Warning at Trump as US-Iran Tensions Escalate

Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated sharply as Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, issued a direct warning to President Donald Trump amid the ongoing Middle East war and heightened regional hostilities. The warning comes after Trump threatened decisive action if Iran disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint for global energy supplies.

In a message posted on X, Larijani said: “The sacrificial nation of Iran doesn’t fear your empty threats. Even those bigger than you couldn’t eliminate Iran. Be careful not to get eliminated yourself.” He dismissed Trump’s rhetoric as hollow and emphasized Iran’s resilience, signaling potential consequences for any aggressive actions targeting the country.

The warning follows Trump’s post declaring that the US would respond twenty times harder if Iran interfered with oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz, describing such moves as a serious threat to global energy security. Analysts say Larijani’s statement reflects Tehran’s strategy of strong public messaging to deter escalation while asserting the country’s influence in the Gulf.

Escalating Military and Regional Context

The rhetoric coincides with heightened military activity in the Gulf. US forces have conducted intense airstrikes on Iranian positions, while Tehran has launched missile and drone attacks targeting US and allied sites. The conflict has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about global oil supply and triggering volatility in international energy markets.

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Experts warn that the exchange of threats increases the risk of miscalculation or unintended clashes between US and Iranian forces. The standoff has also drawn attention from global leaders urging de-escalation, including calls for diplomatic interventions to prevent the conflict from spilling further across the region.

Strategic and Economic Implications

Iran’s warning comes at a time when global oil markets are highly sensitive, with prices spiking due to fears of supply disruptions. The Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20% of the world’s crude passes, remains a focal point of international concern. Analysts note that both Tehran and Washington are using public rhetoric as a psychological strategy, signaling strength to domestic and international audiences while attempting to influence energy markets.

The message underscores how the ongoing US-Iran standoff extends beyond military posturing, affecting regional security, global trade, and energy stability. Observers say continued escalation could have profound consequences for the Middle East, international shipping, and global oil prices.

Iran Security Chief Fires Warning at Trump as US-Iran Tensions Escalate