War Update: Saudi intercepts 5 Iranian drones over Riyadh

On the 20th day of the war, the Middle East conflict has intensified further, with Iran continuing its aggressive retaliation across Gulf countries. Iran launched fresh drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, particularly targeting Riyadh and eastern regions. Saudi forces managed to intercept and shoot down five Iranian drones, but significant damage was still reported. A major explosion occurred near the Prince Sultan Air Base in Riyadh, which hosts US forces. Iran’s earlier ballistic missile strike on a refinery caused massive destruction, turning the facility into flames and disrupting fuel supplies linked to US military operations. Following attacks on Iran’s key gas infrastructure, Tehran has expanded its retaliation. It has already struck Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas facility—responsible for nearly 20% of global LNG supply—and continues targeting energy hubs across the region. Key targets include refineries in Saudi Arabia like Al Jubail and Samref, Qatar’s Mesaieed complex, and UAE’s Al Hassan gas field. The conflict has now clearly transformed into an “energy war,” with both sides attacking oil and gas infrastructure, raising fears of a severe global energy crisis and economic disruption worldwide.