31°46′40.7″N 35°14′07.7″E
Top Stories
The Wire
← Topics
Topic Page

Al-Kharj

Al-Kharj is a strategic governorate in central Saudi Arabia, located southeast of Riyadh, and home to the Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB), a critical hub for U.S. and Saudi military operations.

31°46′N 35°13′E · Topic Page
Editorial visual3 Sources

Al-Kharj is a major administrative and military center in the Riyadh Province of Saudi Arabia. Its strategic significance is primarily derived from the Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB), which serves as a vital installation for the Royal Saudi Air Force and a key forward operating location for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The base has historically played a central role in regional air defense and power projection, hosting multi-national forces and advanced missile defense systems. In the context of the escalating direct confrontation between the Iranian regime and the Western-aligned regional axis, Al-Kharj has emerged as a primary flashpoint. On June 8, 2026, the region was placed on high alert following a combined missile and drone strike launched by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This attack, dubbed 'Operation True Promise 4' by Tehran, was framed as retaliation for Israeli Air Force strikes against military infrastructure within Iran earlier that day. Saudi Civil Defense confirmed the activation of sirens across the Al-Kharj region, and reports indicated that the strike targeted the American presence at the base. While Saudi authorities later declared the immediate danger had passed, the event marked a severe expansion of the geographic scope of the conflict, directly involving U.S. assets on Saudi soil. Pro-Iranian sources claimed the strike targeted air defense systems and radar installations, with some reports suggesting the launch originated from Yemen rather than Iranian territory.