Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman vowed a harsh response to recent attacks on the kingdom, warning that energy security faces severe risks as renewed fighting intensifies regional tensions.
Renewed military escalation in the region has directly struck critical infrastructure and international transport. Saudi officials reported that the coalition is dealing with threats involving drones and cruise missiles targeting the kingdom. Among the targets, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam experienced direct assaults. The attack on the Riyadh facility resulted in casualties and significant material damage, while aviation data showed widespread flight cancellations, with operations at Riyadh extended through the week as authorities inspect facilities.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Warns of Severe Responses and Economic Risk
Speaking at the 17th Ministerial Meeting of the International Energy Forum (IEF17) during Riyadh Energy Week, Prince Abdulaziz declared that the kingdom’s response must match the intensity of the recent weeks’ events. He cautioned that compromising energy security directly endangers economies and their competitiveness, pointing back to the sharp volatility of 2008 as a reminder of why preparedness matters.
The energy minister emphasized that safeguarding supplies is a shared global duty rather than the burden of a single nation. Highlighting national infrastructure resilience, he pointed to the East-West pipeline as a flexible alternative route capable of moving oil exports to global markets via Yanbu on the Red Sea. At the same time, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for multiple operations utilizing ballistic missiles and drones against the capital’s airport and Aramco facilities in Shaybah and the Eastern Province, while warning oil and aviation workers to stay clear of such installations.
International Forum and Diplomatic Reactions Amid Regional Escalation
Discussions centered on supply chain resilience, cleaner energy investments, and data transparency through the Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI), which updated its roadmap through 2030.
Meanwhile, Quad nations condemned the strikes as an unjustified escalation and voiced full backing for Saudi defensive measures. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also urged restraint, noting that civilian infrastructure attacks violate international humanitarian law and risk deepening a major humanitarian crisis.
Ministers and energy sector representatives attending the Riyadh gathering expressed their full solidarity with the kingdom and its people following attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, viewing the event’s realization in Riyadh as a reflection of high resilience, unity, and shared commitment.
“I am deeply dismayed by the repeated Houthi attacks over the past few days on airports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which have resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens of Saudis and foreign nationals, most notably yesterday’s horrific attack on the main airport in Riyadh,” Volker Türk said according to the BBC.
Security Measures and Legal Warnings Follow the Riyadh Strikes
As authorities work to assess facility damage, domestic security measures have tightened. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh reported that American citizens were detained for photographing recent events tied to the attacks. Saudi internal regulations strictly prohibit capturing or sharing imagery of defense interceptions and impact sites, a rule enforced against both residents and visitors.
Amid these developments, Iranian officials expressed readiness to facilitate dialogue between Riyadh and the Houthis, even as regional diplomats call for a stronger collective defense framework to address cross-border threats.
