'This will backfire, we'll not shy away': Saudi hits out at Iran after refinery strikes; oil surges

The foreign minister said two refineries in the city were targeted, describing the timing of the attack as deliberate.

• Saudi Arabia warns it may take military action against Iran
• Saudi air defences intercepted missiles over Riyadh
• Iranian missiles hit Qatar's Ras Laffan energy hub, causing damage

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Saudi Arabia, in the wee hours of Thursday, warned it may take military action against Iran if required, as tensions escalated across the Gulf following a series of strikes on energy infrastructure in the region.

Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said Riyadh has "reserved the right to take military actions" and would not hesitate to defend its territory and economic interests.

"We have reserved the right to take military actions, if deemed necessary… We will not shy away from protecting our country and our economic resources," he told reporters after a meeting with Arab and Islamic foreign ministers.

The remarks came hours after Saudi air defences intercepted ballistic missiles over the capital, Riyadh. The foreign minister said two refineries in the city were targeted, describing the timing of the attack as deliberate. “The targeting of Riyadh, while a number of diplomats are meeting, I cannot see as coincidental,” he said.

Sharply criticising Tehran, he added, "It doesn’t believe in talking to its neighbours. It tries to pressure its neighbours… and that’s not going to work". "Saudi Arabia is not going to succumb to pressure… this approach will backfire politically and morally," he noted.

The warning from Riyadh comes amid a widening wave of attacks on critical energy assets across the Gulf.

Iran has shifted its focus to regional oil and gas facilities after accusing the US and Israel of targeting its own infrastructure, including the massive South Pars gas field.

In Qatar, Iranian ballistic missiles struck Ras Laffan Industrial City, the country’s main energy hub, causing damage and triggering a fire, according to authorities. "The State of Qatar was attacked by ballistic missiles… which targeted Ras Laffan Industrial City and caused damages," Qatar’s defence ministry said. The interior ministry said emergency teams were responding to a fire at the site, adding there were no casualties.

Ras Laffan, a cornerstone of Qatar’s economy and home to the world’s largest liquefied natural gas facilities, has been repeatedly targeted during the conflict. An earlier strike had already caused significant damage, state energy firm QatarEnergy said.

The escalating attacks on energy infrastructure have sent shockwaves through global markets, with oil prices surging to around $110 per barrel amid fears of supply disruptions.