Saudi Arabia in May 2026: the most important developments in security
In May 2026, Saudi Arabia's security situation was tied to the war involving Iran. On 12 May, sources told Reuters that Saudi Arabia had launched covert attacks on Iran as the regional war widened. Earlier, on 7 May, the US weighed reviving its Hormuz operation Project Freedom as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait reopened military access, and Trump reportedly paused naval escorts in the strait after Saudi Arabia denied use of its airspace. France moved its aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle into the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden on 6 May, preparing for a possible mission to ensure freedom of navigation in the strait.
By 18 May the war was described as deadlocked. Saudi Arabia and the UAE reported drone incidents, and Saudi Arabia intercepted three drones launched from Iraq; Iraq denied knowledge of the launches and on 20 May rejected the use of its territory for attacks on the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan deployed thousands of troops, fighter jets and air defense systems to Saudi Arabia under a defense pact and was also reported to be mediating. Saudi Arabia used drones and artificial intelligence for Hajj security.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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