Saudi air defence systems intercepted seven ballistic missiles targeting the country’s Eastern Province, with debris landing near oil and gas and petrochemical facilities, primarily in Jubail
Explosions were reported in Saudi Arabia’s Jubail industrial city on 7 April. Saudi authorities said the country’s air defence systems intercepted seven ballistic missiles targeting the Eastern Province, with debris landing near energy facilities, primarily in Jubail.
Jubail is one of the world’s largest petrochemical production hubs, with an annual output of about 60 million tonnes, accounting for an estimated 6% to 8% of global supply.
The incident places renewed focus on the kingdom’s flagship petrochemical cluster, where majority state-owned Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) is a key investor.
Jubail also hosts major downstream oil, gas and petrochemical assets operated by Saudi Aramco, US-based Dow and France’s TotalEnergies, underscoring the industrial zone’s international significance.
Saudi officials said damage assessments are ongoing.
The developments follow an Israeli strike on 6 April targeting a major petrochemical complex in Iran’s southern Asaluyeh region, described as the country’s largest industrial hub.
Separately, authorities closed the King Fahd Causeway – the main bridge linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain – early on 7 April as a precaution amid heightened security concerns.
The King Fahd Causeway Authority said in a post on X that vehicle movement had been “suspended as a precautionary measure” due to Iranian attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The 25-kilometre bridge is Bahrain’s only road link to the Arabian Peninsula.
US President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges if Tehran does not comply by 8pm EDT on 7 April.
READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF
Economic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Gulf economies under fire > GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift > MARKET FOCUS: Risk accelerates Saudi spending shift > QATAR LNG: Qatar’s new $8bn investment heats up global LNG race > LEADERSHIP: Shaping the future of passenger rail in the Middle East |
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