Iran has claimed responsibility for a major drone and missile attack on a large Saudi Aramco refinery in Saudi Arabia. The strike began early on March 1, 2026, and led to large fires and thick black smoke at the facility near Yanbu on the Red Sea coast.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the attack was in response to Saudi Arabia’s support for Israel and recent US-led actions against Iran. They called it a “precise and successful operation” to hit Saudi oil infrastructure. Iranian state media showed videos of explosions and fire at the refinery, saying it was part of Iran’s right to defend itself.
Saudi authorities confirmed the attack but said the damage was limited. They reported that the refinery fire was quickly brought under control, and no workers were killed. Saudi Aramco, one of the world’s biggest oil companies, said production was not badly affected and that it was investigating the incident.
The attack raised fears of higher oil prices around the world. Oil prices jumped more than 5% right after the news. Many countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and the Gulf states, condemned the strike and called for calm to avoid a bigger conflict.
This is not the first time Saudi oil sites have been targeted. In 2019, drones hit Aramco facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais, cutting half of Saudi oil output for a short time. Iran denied that attack, but the US and Saudi Arabia blamed Iran and its allies.
The latest strike has made tensions in the Middle East even higher. People in Saudi Arabia and Iran are worried about more attacks. Many hope talks and diplomacy can stop the situation from getting worse. The world is watching closely because any major problem in Saudi oil supply can affect fuel prices everywhere.
