On Saturday, Saudi Arabia confirmed that Yemen's Houthi rebels attempted to attack its capital, Riyadh, with a ballistic missile. This marks the first time Riyadh has been targeted since the recent escalation of fighting with the Iran-backed Houthis, highlighting a new phase in the ongoing conflict associated with the Iran war. The Saudi government stated that the missile attack was intercepted successfully, and although some residents reported hearing an explosion and seeing smoke near the airport, there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
In addition to the attempted attack on Riyadh, the Houthis also aimed to strike civilian infrastructure in other Saudi cities, including Yanbu, Taif, Baysh, and Farasan. The group claimed, without providing evidence, that they targeted "sensitive sites" in Riyadh and facilities of Saudi oil giant Aramco in Yanbu, allegedly causing "massive fires." However, Aramco has not commented on these claims.
Meanwhile, the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, revealed that Iran has sent conditions for ending the war to the U.S. through Qatar, a key mediator in the conflict. These conditions reportedly include a call to end hostilities on all fronts, the release of Iranian assets, and the cessation of the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports. Rezaei also emphasized a desire to put an end to the fighting in Yemen.
The U.S. State Department, in light of the escalating tensions, renewed a blanket travel alert for American citizens in or traveling to the Middle East, warning of the potential for rapid escalation in conflict. As a precaution, at least 11 U.S. embassies in the region issued advisories about possible travel disruptions.
In Iran, state television reported the execution of a man, Hossein Pedram, convicted of spying for Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad. Pedram was accused of leaking classified information regarding military sites in Isfahan, particularly after those sites were targeted during recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. The rise in executions in Iran has raised concerns among human rights organizations.
The head of U.S. Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, noted that his forces have facilitated the transit of approximately 1 billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz in the past two months. He asserted that Iran has "exported zero barrels" due to a U.S. blockade, while shipping traffic remains below prewar levels. Approximately one-fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas flows through this critical waterway, which has been contested amid heightened tensions.
In Gaza, Israeli strikes resulted in the deaths of three men, as reported by Gaza's Health Ministry and Shifa Hospital officials. The Israeli military claimed to have targeted "military operatives," highlighting the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The violence has persisted despite a ceasefire that was established last October, with over 13,780 Palestinians reportedly killed in Gaza since then.
Additionally, Israeli forces conducted strikes in southern Lebanon against targets affiliated with Hezbollah after two Israeli soldiers were injured by an explosive device. There were reports of significant Israeli airstrikes in the southern town of Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa, which nearly impacted first responders but resulted in no reported injuries.
In diplomatic discussions, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi regarding energy supplies and the safety of commercial shipping, addressing the potential impacts of supply disruptions on developing countries amidst rising global energy prices.
In a separate event, Iranian race organizers faced legal action after women participated in a race without wearing headscarves, violating national Islamic dress codes. The incident sparked discussions on women's rights in Iran while reflecting ongoing tensions between civil liberties and government regulations.
Furthermore, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan indicated that Turkey could provide military support to Saudi Arabia under a defense agreement that includes Pakistan. He stated that Turkey would "face no difficulty in meeting" any military needs related to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty in the face of Houthi attacks.
As schools reopened in war-torn Gaza, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees reported that over 280,000 children are attending classes in makeshift conditions, including tents. Despite the challenging circumstances, families expressed hope that returning to school would help restore a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos brought by conflict.
