Saudi Arabia has Had Enough of Iran
Amid a "coordinated wave" of Iranian drone attacks on Saudi oil fields, top Netanyahu ally Ron Dermer lands in Riyadh for high-level defense talks with the MBS.
Following sustained Iranian attacks on Saudi soil, questions are mounting: will the Gulf Kingdom fully join the ongoing conflict against the Islamic Republic? According to a report by Amit Segal, former Minister Ron Dermer, a close confidant of Prime Minister Netanyahu, visited Saudi Arabia last week to lead a high-level Israeli delegation.
This visit comes as Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense confirmed that its air defense systems intercepted approximately 50 hostile drones in the Eastern and Central regions within a 24-hour window on Friday. Since the start of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, Iran has significantly escalated its strikes against regional neighbors, including the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
Mainstream media reports indicate that while Saudi Arabia has officially emphasized a desire for "de-escalation" and "strategic patience," the sheer volume of attacks, targeting the Prince Sultan Air Base, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, and critical oil infrastructure like the Shaybah oil field—is pushing the Kingdom toward a breaking point.
The visit also follows a virtual meeting of the Arab League foreign ministers. During the session, participants issued a strong condemnation of Iranian aggression against Arab states. They emphasized that regional countries possess the inherent right to "self-defense," a statement many analysts interpret as a diplomatic green light for potential military retaliation.
As U.S. President Donald Trump urges regional allies to contribute naval assets to secure the Strait of Hormuz, Dermer’s presence in Riyadh suggests that Israel and Saudi Arabia are coordinating closely on the next phase of the campaign against Tehran.