Pakistan condemns Iranian strikes on Saudi energy facilities

Pakistan condemned on Tuesday overnight missile and drone attacks by Iran on energy facilities in eastern Saudi Arabia, calling them a serious violation of the kingdom’s sovereignty and a threat to regional stability.

In a statement, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “deep concern and unequivocal condemnation” of the attacks carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran against energy installations in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan mourned the loss of life resulting from the strikes and deplored the damage to what it described as vital infrastructure. It conveyed condolences to the families of the victims and expressed solidarity with the government and people of Saudi Arabia.

The statement said the attacks constituted a serious violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and warned that they represented a dangerous escalation undermining regional peace and stability.

Pakistan also reaffirmed its “unwavering support” for the kingdom’s security.

A source on the ground told AFP on Tuesday that the overnight attacks struck a petrochemical complex in the sprawling industrial area of Jubail, in eastern Saudi Arabia, hours after similar installations in Iran were hit.

“An attack caused a fire at the SABIC plants in Jubail. The sounds of explosions were very loud,” the source told AFP, referring to the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation.

Jubail is home to one of the world’s largest industrial cities, producing steel, gasoline, petrochemicals, lubricating oil and chemical fertilizers.

The attack on the Saudi industrial area came as the kingdom’s air defense forces engaged what authorities described as a barrage targeting the eastern region. A defense ministry spokesperson said seven ballistic missiles were intercepted and destroyed.

“Parts of ballistic missile debris fell around power facilities; damage assessment is underway,” the ministry said in a post on X.

Early Tuesday, authorities also announced the temporary closure of the major bridge linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain as a precaution following security alerts.

“The movement of vehicles across King Fahd Bridge has been suspended as a precautionary measure,” the General Authority for King Fahd Causeway said in a post online.

The King Fahd Causeway is a 25-kilometer (16-mile) series of bridges connecting Saudi Arabia and the island nation of Bahrain.

Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of regularly targeting its energy installations and infrastructure since Tehran launched a sustained campaign across the Gulf region after Israel and the United States attacked Iran in late February.

Pakistan has consistently condemned Iranian strikes on Gulf countries, while also denouncing attacks on Iran in late February. Islamabad has facilitated communication between Washington and Tehran and said it is working with regional states to end the hostilities.

Last September, Islamabad and Riyadh signed a joint defense pact under which an attack on one would be considered an attack on both. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said at the outset of the war that Pakistan had reminded Iran of the agreement.

Iran has launched repeated missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states in recent weeks, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

The escalation has disrupted energy markets. Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil supply route, has contributed to rising prices and economic uncertainty worldwide.