RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Saudi Arabia said its air defences were countering ballistic missiles on Wednesday after AFP journalists heard loud explosions echoing over the capital Riyadh as Iran's Gulf campaign ground on.

Residents also received a phone alert warning that "the area is under hostile aerial threat".

"Air defences are dealing with a ballistic threat in Riyadh," the Saudi defence ministry said, quoting a spokesperson in a statement on X.

Later, the civil defence reported on X that "the danger has passed in Riyadh".

The Gulf kingdom has been regularly targeted by Iranian missile and drone attacks, including some aimed at its massive energy installations and the capital's diplomatic quarter.