Missile Strikes Hit Saudi Petrochemical Complex in Jubail Amid Gulf Tensions

Overnight attacks hit Saudi Arabia’s Jubail petrochemical complex, causing fires and explosions at SABIC facilities, hours after similar strikes on Iran’s Asaluyeh site. Saudi air defenses intercepted seven ballistic missiles, and the King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain was temporarily closed as a precaution. The attacks underscore escalating tensions in the Gulf amid ongoing Israel-US-Iran conflicts.

Overnight attacks struck a major petrochemical complex in Jubail, in eastern Saudi Arabia, causing fires and loud explosions at the facilities of the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), a source on the ground told AFP on Tuesday. The assaults came just hours after similar strikes targeted Iran’s largest petrochemical facility in Asaluyeh, with Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, confirming that his country carried out a “powerful strike” on the site. Iranian media reported multiple explosions at the Asaluyeh facility, highlighting the escalating tensions and cross-border attacks in the region.
Jubail, located on the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, is home to one of the world’s largest industrial cities, producing steel, gasoline, petrochemicals, lubricants, and chemical fertilizers. The city plays a key role in the kingdom’s economy and the broader Gulf industrial sector, making it a strategic target amid the ongoing regional conflict. Witnesses reported hearing explosions across Jubail and seeing smoke rising from the affected areas, raising concerns about the potential for broader damage to industrial infrastructure.
Saudi air defense forces responded quickly to the attacks, intercepting and destroying seven ballistic missiles that targeted the eastern region, according to a statement from the Defence Ministry. Officials said debris from the intercepted missiles fell near power facilities, and a full damage assessment is ongoing. The ministry did not publicly identify who carried out the attacks, though Saudi Arabia has previously attributed similar drone and missile strikes to Iran, which has regularly targeted the kingdom’s energy installations and critical infrastructure since Israel and the United States launched military operations against Iranian facilities in late February.
As a precautionary measure following security alerts in the region, Saudi authorities temporarily closed the King Fahd Causeway, the 25-kilometre bridge that links Saudi Arabia and the island nation of Bahrain. Vehicle movement across the bridge was suspended to ensure the safety of travelers and prevent potential incidents. The causeway is a major transportation link between the two countries, and its closure underscores the seriousness of the security threat posed by ongoing missile and drone attacks.
The latest strikes come amid a broader escalation of the conflict in the Gulf region. Analysts say that attacks on industrial facilities and critical infrastructure not only threaten regional energy production but also raise the risk of economic disruption across the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, which is heavily reliant on its energy exports, has repeatedly condemned Iran for targeting its installations, warning that continued attacks could provoke a broader regional confrontation. The incidents in Jubail and Asaluyeh highlight the growing volatility in the Gulf and the increasing risk of escalation between regional powers, as both sides continue to demonstrate their military capabilities and target strategic assets