Iranian ballistic missiles intercepted by Greek soldiers in Saudi Arabia

An air defense system operated by Greek military personnel in Saudi Arabia intercepted two ballistic missiles launched from Iran on Thursday, according to Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias.

He stated that the missiles targeted oil refineries, without providing details about the exact location.

Greece has been deploying a Patriot air defense battery in Saudi Arabia since 2021, as part of an agreement aimed at protecting the kingdom's energy infrastructure. Thursday's interception was the first operation of the system by Greek personnel.

Other countries, such as France and Australia, have also provided support for the defense of the Gulf region against Iranian attacks, in the context of rising tensions in the area. The Saudi Ministry of Defense previously announced the interception of a ballistic missile aimed at the port city of Yanbu, where an oil refinery is located, but it is unclear if this was one of the missiles intercepted by Greece.