RIYADH DAILY - 13 MARCH 2026
MoD Reports 44 Drones and Two Missiles Intercepted Since Dawn; Crown Prince Meets Pakistan PM; Energy Ministry and Tadawul Execute Red Sea Cargo Pivots
Saudi Arabia intercepts 42 Iranian drones targeting Eastern Region, Central Region and Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter
Saudi Defense Ministry reports intercepting 42 drones targeting multiple locations across kingdom including Eastern Region, Central Region and Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh according to Arab News and Saudi sources, marking sustained Iranian aerial assault campaign against Saudi territory.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressing full solidarity during regional crisis
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah and expressed Pakistan's full solidarity and support during challenging times according to Royal Court and multiple sources.
Saudi Arabia launches logistics corridors redirecting Gulf cargo to Red Sea ports as Hormuz remains closed
Saudi Arabia has opened logistics corridors to receive containers and goods from other Gulf countries and redirect cargo to Red Sea ports according to Saudi Gazette, reflecting kingdom's pivot to western export routes amid Strait of Hormuz closure.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: Saudi Arabia intercepted 44 drones and two ballistic missiles on 13 March targeting Eastern Province, Shaybah oil field in Rub' al-Khali Desert, Prince Sultan Air Base, and Al-Kharj Governorate, per Ministry of Defense statements to Sabq and Al Riyadh, maintaining elevated Iranian pressure on Kingdom energy and military infrastructure for fifth consecutive day. Crown Prince Mohammed bin SALMAN met Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz SHARIF in Jeddah on 12 March—Pakistani statement confirmed Pakistan's "full solidarity and support" for Saudi Arabia amid regional escalation, per Anadolu Agency, Al Arabiya, and Asharq Al-Awsat. Saudi Arabia launched logistics corridors to redirect cargo from Strait of Hormuz to Red Sea ports amid effective closure of Gulf waterway, per Saudi Gazette, as Ministry of Commerce established cargo reception corridors for other GCC countries. Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman AL SAUD held telephone discussions on 13 March with UK Foreign Secretary to coordinate energy cooperation, per Saudi Gazette. Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan AL SAUD also held separate call with UK Foreign Secretary on 13 March to discuss regional escalation, per Saudi Gazette, extending diplomatic outreach that began 12 March with telephone consultations with Spanish counterpart. Brent crude traded above $100 per barrel on 13 March as Iran's newly appointed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba KHAMENEI reiterated demands that Strait of Hormuz remain closed and threatened U.S. bases across Gulf, per Anadolu Agency and Asharq Al-Awsat. Oman reported two foreign nationals killed in drone crashes in Sohar on 13 March, per Anadolu Agency, marking first confirmed Iranian drone fatalities on Omani soil. END SUMMARY.
