ISTANBUL

The Saudi Defense Ministry said Thursday air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile targeting the Red Sea port of Yanbu and reported a drone impact at a key oil refinery as regional tensions escalate.

Yanbu has been one of two major export outlets for crude oil out of Gulf countries since Iran closed the Strait of ‌Hormuz in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks.

A Defense Ministry statement said the ballistic missile targeting the port was shot down, without giving any further details about possible damage or injuries.

The ministry also said a drone fell at the Aramco-ExxonMobil (SAMREF) refinery in the same city, adding that damage is currently under assessment.

The ministry earlier said that air defense systems had intercepted and destroyed eight drones launched toward the kingdom, including targets in Riyadh and the Eastern Region.

The attacks came as the US and Israel have continued a joint offensive on Iran since Feb. 28, killing so far around 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.