Saudi Arabia has suspended some operations at its sprawling Ras Tanura refinery following an attack that sparked a fire at the strategic Gulf Coast facility.
The kingdom’s energy ministry confirmed on Monday that several operational units were temporarily shut down as a precautionary step after the incident.
Officials stressed, however, that domestic fuel supplies remain unaffected.
Ras Tanura, located in the Eastern Province near Dammam, is one of the largest refineries in the Middle East, with a processing capacity of about 550,000 barrels per day.
The complex also serves as one of the world’s key oil export terminals, making it central to global energy flows.
According to an official statement carried by the state news agency, the temporary shutdown was implemented to ensure safety and prevent further risk after the blaze, which has since been extinguished.
A defence ministry spokesman disclosed that two drones targeted the facility but were intercepted by Saudi air defences.
While authorities did not immediately detail the extent of physical damage, sources indicated that emergency teams quickly brought the fire under control.
The development comes amid heightened regional tensions, with analysts describing the strike as a significant escalation in threats to Gulf energy infrastructure.
intelligence firm Verisk Maplecroft said the targeting of Ras Tanura suggests that critical oil facilities are increasingly in the crosshairs as the standoff involving Iran deepens.
In recent days, Saudi officials have condemned missile and drone attacks aimed at Riyadh and the eastern region, warning that the kingdom reserves the right to respond to aggression.
A Gulf source also reported that missiles directed at an air base near Riyadh—hosting United States personnel—were intercepted for the third consecutive day.
Saudi oil infrastructure has previously been targeted. In 2019, attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck two major facilities operated by Saudi Aramco, temporarily slashing the kingdom’s crude output by nearly half.
In March 2022, another drone strike hit the YASREF refinery in Yanbu on the Red Sea coast.
With Ras Tanura playing a pivotal role in both refining and exports, energy markets are closely monitoring developments to assess potential disruptions to global supply chains.
