Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed several drones launched from Iraq at petroleum facilities in its Eastern Province, the defence ministry said on July 28.

It is the second consecutive day of drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure originating in Iraq, opening a land-based front alongside Houthi attacks on Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea. Riyadh is now under pressure at both ends of its export system, with the Strait of Hormuz closed and Red Sea transits contested. Its warning that it reserves the right to respond at a time and place of its choosing raises the prospect of Saudi action against targets inside Iraq.

Defence ministry spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki said the attempts originated once again from Iraqi territory and were carried out by what he described as Iran-backed terrorist militias. He affirmed the kingdom's right to defend itself and its assets and to respond at the appropriate time and place.

Saudi authorities did not disclose the number of drones involved. No casualties or damage were reported.

Drones launched from Iraq targeted oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh on July 27 and were also intercepted. The Saudi foreign ministry condemned that attack and called on the Iraqi government to prevent Iraqi territory from being used as a launchpad against the kingdom.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, ordered an investigation. Military spokesman Sabah al-Numan said Iraq would not allow its territory to be used to launch attacks on neighbouring states and would take legal action against anyone found to have been involved.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella grouping of Iran-aligned militias that has claimed similar attacks in the past, said Riyadh had fabricated the allegations.

Houthi forces separately claimed drone strikes on Saudi crude supply and transport infrastructure in the Eastern Province, citing Saudi airspace violations. It is not clear whether the two sets of attacks were coordinated. Jordan's air force shot down two drones over its territory in the same period.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE both reported intercepting drones launched from Iraq in May, drawing condemnation from the Gulf Cooperation Council and raising questions over Baghdad's control of Iran-aligned armed factions.

The Eastern Province holds the core of Saudi oil infrastructure. A drone attack on the Ras Tanura refinery, the kingdom's largest, on March 2 caused minimal physical damage but halted operations, suspended propane and butane exports for several weeks and lifted crude prices.

Saudi Arabia has rerouted part of its crude exports through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal since Hormuz was closed. Iran's foreign ministry said on July 27 that the strait remains shut.