RIYADH DAILY - 19 MARCH 2026
Saudi Arabia and Arab-Islamic Ministerial Meeting Demand Halt to Iranian Strikes, Qatar Reports Extensive Damage to Ras Laffan LNG Complex After Second Strike
Saudi Arabia intercepts 21 drones and ballistic missile over Riyadh and Eastern regions
Saudi Defense Ministry reports destroying 21 drones and one ballistic missile targeting Riyadh and Eastern Province according to Saudi Gazette and Anadolu Agency, marking continued aerial assault pattern.
Arab and Islamic foreign ministers meeting in Riyadh condemn Iran attacks, demand de-escalation
Consultative meeting of foreign ministers from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, Turkey and UAE in Riyadh condemns Iranian strikes and urges halt to attacks according to Anadolu Agency and Arab News.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: Saudi Arabia convened consultative meeting of Arab and Islamic foreign ministers in Riyadh on 19 March that issued statement condemning Iranian missile and drone strikes on Gulf Cooperation Council member states and demanding immediate cessation of attacks, per Anadolu Agency, Arab News, and Saudi Gazette, as Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan AL SAUD coordinated with Jordanian and Turkish counterparts prior to session. Ministry of Defense reported interception and destruction of eight ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh and five to six additional drones over Riyadh and Eastern Province on 19 March, per Saudi Gazette and Sabq, marking third consecutive day of sustained Iranian targeting campaign against Saudi territory with no reported casualties. QatarEnergy confirmed on 19 March that Iranian ballistic missiles struck Ras Laffan Industrial City housing world's largest liquefied natural gas export plant for second time in 48 hours, causing "extensive damage" and "sizeable fires," per Al Arabiya (English), OilPrice, and Bloomberg, as European natural gas prices surged 35 percent and Brent crude climbed toward $117 per barrel on supply disruption fears. Iran issued evacuation warnings for five Gulf energy facilities including Saudi Aramco's Samref refinery in Jubail, al-Jubail Petrochemical Complex, and King Salman Energy Park prior to strikes, per Asharq Al-Awsat and Middle East Eye, underscoring escalating targeting of upstream production infrastructure. Qatar announced expulsion of Iranian military and security attachés from embassy with 24-hour departure deadline, per Sabq, following Ras Laffan strikes. END SUMMARY.
