Saudi Aramco shuts Ras Tanura refinery after drone strike amid escalating gulf tensions

Saudi oil giant Saudi Aramco has suspended operations at its Ras Tanura refinery following a reported drone strike, as regional tensions intensify in the wake of Iran’s retaliatory attacks across several Gulf countries.

The Ras Tanura refinery, one of the largest in the world, processes approximately 550,000 barrels of crude oil per day and is a key supplier of transport fuels such as diesel to European markets. It also produces smaller volumes of gasoline for international buyers.

The facility is located near Aramco’s largest crude and oil products export terminal, which includes extensive storage tanks, port berths, and offshore loading points critical to global energy supply chains.

According to industry sources familiar with the development, operations at the refinery were halted on Monday after Tehran launched coordinated strikes across the region in response to earlier U.S.-Israeli air raids on Iran.

The official Saudi Press Agency confirmed that there was a “limited” fire at the plant, caused by debris resulting from the interception of two drones targeting the facility. Authorities described the blaze as minor and said it had been brought under control.

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Aramco is currently assessing the extent of the damage while adjusting refinery operations. The company’s media office did not immediately provide additional comments.

The development comes after Iran fired multiple missiles at U.S. military bases in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, following coordinated U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets. Those strikes reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, along with several senior officials.

Reports indicate that at least 40 members of Khamenei’s regime were killed during the weekend air raids, marking one of the most significant escalations in regional hostilities in recent years.

Energy analysts warn that any sustained disruption at Ras Tanura — given its processing capacity and proximity to major export infrastructure — could tighten global fuel markets and heighten oil price volatility.

For now, Saudi authorities maintain that the situation at the refinery is under control, though markets remain on edge as geopolitical tensions continue to ripple through the Gulf region.