Iran strikes SAMREF refinery in Yanbu — first confirmed Saudi energy infrastructure hit

Iran delivered a ballistic missile strike on the SAMREF oil processing plant in Yanbu, a port city on the Red Sea coast of western Saudi Arabia, Iranian state TV and radio confirmed. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan confirmed that two Saudi refineries had been attacked. SAMREF (Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Company) is one of Saudi Arabia's largest refineries, jointly operated by Saudi Aramco and ExxonMobil in Yanbu Industrial City. Workers had been evacuated following the IRGC's pre-strike evacuation warning issued Wednesday. Iranian state media (Fars News) reported that gas tanks and parts of the refinery had been hit. A fire broke out but was brought under control, Iranian state media later said. This is Iran's first confirmed strike on Saudi energy infrastructure of the war — a major escalation. The IRGC had explicitly named SAMREF and the Jubail Petrochemical Complex as targets following the IDF's South Pars strike. Saudi FM's statement — 'the little trust that remained in Iran has been completely shattered' — and the explicit reservation of the right to military response signals Saudi Arabia is on the threshold of direct military entry into the conflict.