ISTANBUL

Saudi air defenses on Thursday intercepted and destroyed a drone heading toward the Shaybah oilfield in southern Saudi Arabia, the Defense Ministry said.

A ministry spokesperson said the drone was intercepted and destroyed in the Rub' al Khali (Empty Desert Quarter) while heading toward the Shaybah oilfield.

The incident comes amid US and Israeli attacks on Iran, launched on Feb. 28, so far killing some 1,300 people, including numerous top officials.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries that are home to US military assets.