Exclusive: Iranian officials say Israel carried out some of the drone strikes on Gulf energy sites
Exclusive: Iranian officials say Israel carried out some of the drone strikes on Gulf energy sites
Iranian officials are pointing fingers at Israel, alleging involvement in several drone strikes targeting energy and civilian installations across the Arabian Gulf. They argue the assaults are part of a strategic move to incite regional tensions and draw Arab nations into a broader conflict with Tehran.
A foreign ministry representative speaking to Middle East Eye confirmed that Israel was responsible for multiple attacks on Saudi Arabia, while also hinting at a possible role in one strike against Oman. “Some of these operations were not executed by us,” the unnamed official stated, emphasizing the accusation.
“I can categorically say that some of the attacks were not carried out by us [Iran],” the official, who requested anonymity, said.
Saudi Arabia has faced at least five drone and missile strikes, with key targets including the Prince Sultan Air Base, Ras Tanura oil refinery, and the US embassy in Riyadh. Oman’s Duqm Port, a critical hub with regular US Navy access since 2019, was hit twice in the recent wave of attacks.
The Iranian official refrained from confirming if any proxy groups were involved, though Shia Iraqi factions have thus far avoided cross-border actions, focusing instead on strikes within Iraq. This comes amid Iran’s ongoing retaliation for a joint US-Israel operation that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Initially, the attacks targeted US military infrastructure, but Gulf states report Iran has since expanded its focus to include civilian facilities like hotels, airports, and energy plants. Despite this, Iranian officials have denied targeting Gulf energy sites, maintaining their narrative of external responsibility.
The five-day conflict has disrupted Saudi Arabia and Qatar’s energy exports and damaged Dubai’s reputation as a secure hub for foreign residents. Meanwhile, Israeli intelligence is believed to have played a role in some strikes, as per two Iranian sources who revealed that the Mossad had been operating on Iranian soil.
“They said authorities are actively tracking the warehouses Mossad used to store drones and are determined to eliminate them,” one source explained.
The sources noted that Iran may have similar facilities in other regional countries, allowing Israel to launch attacks from hidden bases. Previous operations include the assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist, cyberattacks on critical nuclear systems, and the seizure of sensitive nuclear documents.
A second Iranian source clarified that Iran had not carried out the recent strike on Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura, which houses the kingdom’s primary refinery. “This is an Israeli effort to sabotage regional peace and alliances between neighbors,” the source added.
Iranian leaders, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, have sought to reassure Gulf allies of their commitment to sovereignty. However, the admissions may expose Iran’s vulnerabilities, especially after Israeli officials shared footage of Mossad operatives assembling weapons in Iran a year prior.
The current revelations align with growing US pressure on Gulf nations to align against Tehran. The UAE and other GCC members have advocated for Arab states to defend themselves against Iranian threats, keeping the potential for military action open.