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Saudi Arabia said late Tuesday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones targeting oil facilities in the country's east, blaming Iran-backed groups in Iraq for the launches for a second consecutive day.
Defense Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said the attempted attacks took place over the past several hours and were thwarted by Saudi air defenses.
"Aerial defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones that attempted to target oil installations," al-Maliki said.
He said the "terrorist attempts" were launched from Iraqi territory by Iran-backed militias.
"Saudi Arabia has the legitimate right to defend itself and its vital infrastructure," al-Maliki said, adding that the kingdom reserves the right to respond "at the appropriate time and place."
The Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as the continued launching of drones by Iran-backed militias in Iraq toward the kingdom's oil facilities.
The ministry reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's determination to safeguard its security and sovereignty, stressing that the kingdom "reserves its legitimate right under international law to take all necessary measures to respond to the attacks and deter those responsible."
It also urged the Iraqi government to take all necessary steps to prevent Iraqi territory from being used as a launchpad for attacks against Saudi Arabia.
There was no immediate comment from Iraqi authorities on the Saudi statement.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center said Tuesday evening that it received a report of suspicious activity after the master of a tanker reported hearing an explosion while transiting the southern Red Sea.
The center said the incident was reported by a company security officer after the vessel's master heard an explosion during transit.
UKMTO said the crew and vessel were safe and that no environmental damage had been reported.
It advised vessels transiting the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity.
The agency did not identify the tanker or attribute the reported explosion to any party.
The advisory came hours after Yemen's Houthi group claimed it had targeted the Saudi oil tanker NCC GHAZAL with ballistic missiles, forcing it to turn back.
The Houthis did not specify where the attack took place, and there was no immediate Saudi comment on the claim.
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