Explosions heard in east of Saudi capital Riyadh: AFP

AFP , Sunday 1 Mar 2026

AFP correspondents and residents in Riyadh heard loud explosions in the east of the Saudi capital on Sunday, as Iran presses on with a second day of retaliatory strikes against US‑Israeli attacks, targeting US military assets in the Gulf.

Explosions from the interception of an Iranian projectile are seen in the sky over Dubai on March 1, 2026. AFP

Residents in eastern Riyadh told AFP they heard several loud bangs and saw smoke rising, with correspondents also hearing the explosions.

Saudi Arabia confirmed Saturday that Iran hit Riyadh and its eastern region with strikes, warning it reserved the right to defend itself including by retaliating.

Saudi Arabia "expressed its strongest condemnation of the blatant and cowardly Iranian attacks targeting the Riyadh and Eastern Province regions, which were repelled," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Fresh blasts were heard across Dubai, Doha and Manama on Sunday morning as Iran carried out strikes in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks that killed the supreme leader and other top officials, along with at least 133 civilians including more than 100 girls in an elementary school..

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday held calls with the leaders of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan.

On the calls, Prince Mohammed "affirmed the Kingdom's full solidarity and standing alongside the brotherly countries, and the Kingdom's readiness to place all its capabilities at their disposal", a ministry statement said, after Iranian missiles targeted US bases in countries across the region.