A major oil refinery jointly operated by Saudi Aramco and ExxonMobil in the Red Sea port of Yanbu has been targeted in a fresh wave of Iranian attacks on regional energy infrastructure, according to industry sources, as tensions across the Middle East continue to intensify.

The Saudi Aramco ExxonMobil Refining Company, known as SAMREF, was struck in an aerial assault that forms part of a broader campaign against energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Gulf states.

Despite the scale of the regional escalation, initial assessments indicate that the impact on the Yanbu facility was limited, with operations largely unaffected.

The attack followed advance warnings issued by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which had identified several oil and gas installations across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar as potential targets.

The strikes appear to be part of a coordinated response to recent military developments in the wider conflict, which has already seen multiple facilities across the Gulf region come under fire.

Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure, particularly at Yanbu, has taken on heightened strategic importance as the kingdom adapts to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

With maritime traffic through the chokepoint severely constrained, the Red Sea port has become a critical alternative route for maintaining global oil supplies, reinforcing its significance to international energy markets.

Saudi authorities and their partners have strengthened defensive measures around key installations, combining advanced air defence systems with rapid-response protocols to mitigate risks.

The limited damage reported at SAMREF underscores the resilience of these systems and the effectiveness of coordinated protection efforts.

The targeting of the Yanbu refinery highlights the expanding scope of the conflict, with energy infrastructure increasingly at the centre of hostilities.

Facilities in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have also been struck in recent days, amplifying concerns about the security of supply chains that underpin the global economy.

Market reaction has been swift, with oil prices rising sharply amid fears of further disruptions.

Analysts warn that continued attacks on refining and export infrastructure could tighten supply conditions and increase volatility in already strained energy markets.

Saudi Arabia continues to emphasise stability and the uninterrupted flow of energy to global consumers, leveraging its infrastructure and partnerships to sustain exports even under challenging conditions.

The situation remains fluid, with further developments expected as regional actors respond to the evolving security environment.