Saudi Arabia is weighing whether to intensify military retaliation or pursue de-escalation as attacks by Iran-backed groups threaten its security, oil exports and Vision 2030 economic ambitions.
Saudi Arabia is facing mounting pressure as attacks linked to Iran-backed militias expand across the Gulf, forcing Riyadh to balance military retaliation with efforts to avoid a wider regional conflict. After largely staying out of the war that followed the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, Saudi forces this week joined US strikes on Iranian proxy militias in Iraq accused of launching drones at the Kingdom.
The conflict now involves Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces and Yemen’s Houthis, while the US and regional allies back opposing efforts. Drone and missile attacks have increasingly threatened Saudi infrastructure, airports, shipping routes and oil exports.
According to the BBC, the growing security challenges also risk undermining Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 economic programme, which depends on stability, foreign investment and the protection of critical infrastructure.
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