Saudi Arabia confronts rising security threats amid US‑Iran conflict

Saudi Arabia is trying to stay out of the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran that began with US‑Israel strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, but it has faced repeated drone attacks from Iranian‑backed militias in Iraq and Houthi forces in Yemen.

In response, Riyadh has launched joint US‑Saudi military operations against the militias in Iraq and is working to form a 14‑nation naval coalition to protect its energy export routes in the Gulf and Red Sea. The mounting security pressure threatens the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic transformation plan.

Officials quoted include retired Saudi Brigadier General Abdullah bin Farhan Al‑Shaya, who said military force alone cannot defeat guerrilla tactics, and former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Dana Stroul, warning that a wider war in Yemen would damage Saudi economic projects.