RIYADH DAILY - 26 MARCH 2026
Defense Ministry Reports 33 Drone Interceptions Over Eastern Province Since 25 March, Crown Prince and UK Prime Minister Discuss Economic Crisis and Iranian Attacks, Foreign Minister Coordinates Regional Diplomatic Response
Two killed in Abu Dhabi as debris from intercepted Iranian missile strikes ground
UAE Defense Ministry reports two civilians killed and three injured when shrapnel from intercepted ballistic missile struck Sweihan Road and damaged vehicles per Anadolu Agency and The National. Iran launched 82nd wave targeting US assets in Kuwait Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
UN Human Rights Council unanimously condemns Iranian attacks on Gulf states and demands reparations
UN Human Rights Council adopted resolution by unanimous vote condemning Iran attacks on Gulf neighbors and calling for full reparations per Middle East Eye and Sabq. Saudi Arabia and GCC states sponsored motion describing strikes as egregious violations of international law.
Saudi Arabia Bahrain and four other states issue joint condemnation of Iranian attacks calling on Iraq to halt proxy strikes
Saudi Arabia Bahrain UAE Kuwait Qatar and Jordan issued joint statement condemning Iranian attacks as flagrant sovereignty violations and calling on Iraq to halt attacks by Iran-backed factions per Asharq Al-Awsat and International Crisis Group. States affirm full right to self-defense.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman holds phone call with UK PM Starmer discussing Iran attacks and UK defensive equipment deployment
Asharq Al-Awsat reports Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held call with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressing global economic crisis. Starmer condemned Iran attacks on Saudi Arabia and updated on deployment of further UK defensive military equipment per Downing Street.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: Ministry of Defense reported interception and destruction of 33 drones over Eastern Province and Riyadh region between 25-26 March, per Sabq and Saudi Gazette, marking the most intensive 24-hour air defense operations since Iranian retaliatory campaign began. Crown Prince Mohammed bin SALMAN received telephone call from UK Prime Minister Keir STARMER on 25 March discussing global economic crisis triggered by Iran conflict, with Downing Street spokesperson reporting STARMER "condemned Iran's attacks on Saudi Arabia" and confirmed deployment of additional UK defensive military equipment, per Asharq Al-Awsat and Al Arabiya English. Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan AL SAUD conducted telephone calls with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr ABDELATTY and Syrian Foreign Minister on 25 March coordinating regional diplomatic response, per Sabq and Okaz. UN Human Rights Council unanimously adopted Saudi-GCC resolution condemning Iranian attacks and demanding "full and swift reparations" for victims, per Sabq, Middle East Eye, and Asharq Al-Awsat. Saudi permanent representative to UN stated Iran's continued attacks on neighbors "will cost it politically," per Saudi Gazette. END SUMMARY.
