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Saudi Military Downs 21 Drones Targeting Oil Fields Amid Regional Escalation

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence has successfully intercepted a total of 21 drones, including several targeting the critical Shaybah oil field in the eastern region. The attacks have triggered a flurry of high-level diplomatic calls, including between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth issued a warning to Russia against intervening in the Iran conflict, following a call between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, President Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud held discussions blaming the escalation on US and Israeli actions against Iran.

Key Points: Saudi Arabia Intercepts Drone Attacks on Oil Field

  • Saudi Arabia intercepts 21 drones
  • US warns Russia against Iran conflict involvement
  • Putin discusses crisis with Saudi Crown Prince
  • High-level diplomacy intensifies to prevent escalation
2 min read

Saudi military downs drones targeting Shaybah oil field in eastern region

Saudi forces down drones targeting Shaybah oil field as US, Russia, and Saudi leaders hold urgent talks to prevent Middle East crisis escalation.

"emphasised the need to consolidate the efforts of the international community - Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs"

Riyadh, March 12

The Saudi Ministry of Defence has successfully neutralised three additional drone strikes, following the initial downing of 18 unmanned aerial vehicles across the nation's "eastern territories".

In a rapid succession of updates shared on X, the ministry confirmed that its forces had intercepted two drones over the "Empty Quarter" desert. These aircraft were reportedly targeting the "Shaybah oil field" before being brought down.

The ministry further confirmed the destruction of two additional drones within the eastern region.

Amid rising regional threats, diplomatic channels have intensified. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a telephonic conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan to discuss the urgent need to prevent further escalation of the Middle East crisis.

In a post on X, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the ministers "emphasised the need to consolidate the efforts of the international community" to stop the situation from deteriorating further.

This diplomatic push follows a stern warning from Washington. On Tuesday, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth cautioned Russia against intervening in the ongoing conflict in West Asia, particularly as tensions involve Iran, the US, and Israel.

During a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth referenced a recent "strong call" between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He noted that while the call suggested an "opportunity for some peace" regarding the war in Ukraine, it also included a firm "recognition" that Russia "should not be involved" in the Iran conflict.

The Kremlin confirmed the interaction, with aide Yuri Ushakov describing the conversation as "businesslike, open and constructive".

According to reports, President Trump initiated the call to discuss the latest international developments, focusing on both the Iran crisis and potential trilateral talks between Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv.

Following his dialogue with the US, President Putin also held a thorough discussion with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

The two leaders addressed the "escalation in the Middle East", which the Kremlin attributed to "the United States' and Israel's armed aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran."

These high-level talks follow a series of earlier meetings between Moscow and Riyadh. On March 9, Lavrov and his Saudi counterpart "compared notes" on critical items, including the situations in Syria, Yemen, and the Palestinian-Israeli settlement.

The two nations have agreed to maintain "close coordination" to promote a "sustainable settlement" through dialogue based on the "stakeholders' legitimate interests and concerns".

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see Russia positioning itself as a mediator between Saudi and Iran. With the US also in the mix, it feels like a new great game for influence in the region. India has good relations with all parties; we must use our diplomatic capital wisely.
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Priya S
Every time there's tension in the Middle East, we feel the pinch here. From fuel prices to the safety of our diaspora in the Gulf, it's a direct concern. Hope the diplomacy works. The last thing we need is a full-blown war.
R
Rohit P
The article mentions the "stakeholders' legitimate interests". For India, a stable Middle East with secure shipping lanes is a core national interest. We import so much oil from there. Our foreign policy should be proactive, not reactive, in this crisis.
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Meera T
With respect, I feel the reporting is a bit too focused on the US-Russia angle. The real story is the human cost and regional instability. Yemen, Palestine, Syria... these conflicts are interconnected. A holistic solution is needed, not just great power posturing.
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Vikram M
Saudi's air defence seems robust, downing 21 drones! But drone warfare is the new normal and cheap to deploy. This is a worrying trend for all oil-producing nations. Time for India to also seriously invest in similar low-cost aerial defence tech.

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