Saudi Arabia intercepts 11 drones and ballistic missile over Eastern Region — oil infrastructure targeted

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence issued an official statement confirming its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 11 drones in the Eastern Region on March 25. The statement also reported the interception of a ballistic missile in the same area, shortly before the drone intercept announcement. No casualties or damage were reported; the origin of the projectiles was not specified in the official statement. The attack profile — drones plus ballistic missile targeting the Eastern Province — is consistent with Iran-aligned proxy operations and the pattern of Houthi and IRGC-directed strikes on Saudi energy infrastructure seen earlier in the conflict. Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province is the kingdom's most economically critical territory, containing Aramco's Abqaiq processing facility (the world's largest oil processing plant), Ras Tanura export terminal (primary Gulf export hub), and the Dhahran operations center. A breach of Saudi air defenses at any of these sites would cause immediate global oil supply disruption. On Day 25, Bloomberg reported Saudi Arabia and UAE were 'losing patience' and could formally join the war if Iran strikes energy or water infrastructure. The Day 26 interceptions — 11 drones plus a ballistic missile in a single wave — represent the most sustained single-wave proxy assault on Saudi territory since the conflict began. Saudi Arabia successfully intercepted all inbound threats.