Saudi Arabia defends drone strikes from ‘Iran-backed’ groups | Articles of Controversy

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Drones launched in Saudi, Jordan and Iraq suggest that Iran, or allied groups, may test the US as it develops new strategies.

Saudi Arabia says it has intercepted drones targeting oil facilities in its eastern province of Riyadh.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said it “reserves the right to respond” to the attack, which it says was carried out by Iranian-backed forces in Iraq.

Separately, Yemen’s Houthi rebels said on Monday that they were looking for ways to export crude oil to Saudi Arabia.

It is not yet clear whether the two events are related or separate.

The attack comes at a time of calm between the United States and Iran, with officials signaling that the chances of a return to talks have risen.

After two weeks of fierce fighting, US officials have spoken of a policy change, and Washington has put a pause on Iran.

Iran says it has also halted attacks on US allies in the Gulf region.

However, the drone strikes in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere show that Tehran may be testing the US’s interests, and that forces believed to be aligned with Iran are not ready to follow suit.

Besides Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq also reported drone attacks on Monday. Amman said it had shot down two drones, while Iraqi security sources reported strikes on camps housing Iranian-Kurdish fighters in the north of the country.

The officials did not know where the violence started, but Jordan and northern Iraq are where four US citizens have been killed in the past two wars.

The Houthis announced later on Monday that nine of their soldiers had been killed while fighting Yemeni forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition in recent days.