Iranian officials have asked Yemenâs Houthis to block the Red Sea if the U.S. carries out strikes on Tehranâs energy sites, according to Reuters.
Two senior Iranian sources and a regional source familiar with the matter reportedly told the outlet that the Houthis had been informed of the request, which was discussed within the Islamic Republicâs leadership.
Nuclear-armed Pakistan, which helped broker an interim deal last month in the war between Washington and Tehran, signed a mutual defence agreement with âSaudi Arabia last year and thousands of Pakistani soldiers have been deployed to the kingdom, alongside a squadron of fighter jets.
Pakistan had already voiced anger about Iranian strikes on Saudi Arabia earlier this year, but regional analysts and officials said the attacks this week had pushed Islamabad‘s frustration with Iran to a new level as they raised the prospect of a new Saudi-Houthi conflict.
(July 15, 2026)
The U.S. State Department is aware of reports that President Donald Trump has given Saudi Arabia the green light to launch military action against Yemenâs Iran-backed Houthi movement following attacks on the kingdom, a department spokesperson told MBN in a statement.
(July 14, 2026)
The country‘s size relative to other much smaller Gulf states meant it fared better during the war, continuing to export oil via a pipeline from the east to its west coast on the Red Sea, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
A wider conflict with the Houthis, who have in the past targeted Red Sea shipping, could challenge that.
The Saudi government‘s communication office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
(July 13, 2026)
Tehran condemned the attack on Sanaa airport, with a foreign ministry spokesperson describing it „as a clear violation of international law“.
But following the strikes on Sanaa, the head of Yemen‘s Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, said he had „ordered that the scope of the confrontation not be expanded“.
(July 5, 2026)
ADEN: Yemenâs Iran-backed Houthi rebels killed 14 troops in an attack south of the port city of Hodeidah, a military official aligned with the countryâs internationally-recognized government told AFP on Sunday.
(July 5, 2026)
This was Ansarallahâs âdeadliestâ attack on Saudi-backed forces âin years,â according to sources cited by other news agencies.
The attack involved sniper fire followed by drone and mortar strikes. Ansarallah reportedly overran Saudi-backed government positions before a counterattack saw Riyadhâs proxies retake the area.
The confrontation marks a significant escalation along a front that has remained largely frozen since the 2022 UN-brokered truce.
(June 30, 2026)
At the time of writing, no group from Yemen‘s fragmented political landscape has claimed responsibility.
The Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), backed by Saudi Arabia and based in Aden, condemned the attack. Salem Ahmed Al-Khanbashi, the governor of Hadramaut and the general who led the military recapture of the region from the STC in early January, ordered an investigation. Prime Minister Shaya Mohsen al-Zindani directed the Interior Ministry and security agencies to identify those responsible.
(…)
The assassination of Mohammed Aydah, whether or not it is ultimately linked to STC remnants, shows how much remains unsettled in the territory Saudi Arabia now formally controls.
„Whoever targeted Mohammed wanted to silence him, but it was also a threat to all other journalists. At the end of the day, they won‘t be able to silence everyone if everyone is speaking up and everyone is active,“ said Shiban.
After that, an expanded talks session was convened with the participation of a number of ministers and senior officials from both sides. The discussions addressed various tracks of cooperation â including economic, investment and logistic domains â and explored opportunities for their development in a manner that supports integration, enhances the smooth flow of trade and opens broader horizons for practical partnership at both the bilateral and regional levels, as well as within the framework of Gulf cooperation among the GCC member states.
The UAE‘s long-range AN/TPY-2 radar, integrated with the THAAD missile-defense system, can reportedly detect ballistic missiles at roughly 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers under optimal conditions. General air-surveillance radars like the Ground Master 400 typically track aircraft out to about 470 to 515 kilometers.
Patriot system radars, used for engagement and fire control, usually operate in the 150 to 300-plus kilometer range, depending on target type and altitude.
None of these radars can detect the launch or low-altitude flight of a small kamikaze drone originating in Iraq. That is a technical fact, not a matter of interpretation.
Even if the Emiratis possessed precise intelligence from Iraq about the exact time and location of the drone‘s launch, a highly unlikely scenario given the operational security of such attacks, a more fundamental question remains.
Why would Abu Dhabi not inform its Saudi neighbors that a hostile drone would be traversing at least 800 kilometers of the Saudi mainland, flying freely for up to five hours, without any reaction from Saudi air defenses? The absence of such notification is telling.
What can be determined with certainty is this: the drone attack was indeed carried out from the western border and over Saudi territory. And, there is no evidence â technical or otherwise â to support the claim that it was launched from Iraq.
In a statement issued Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom welcomed the efforts of both countries to reach a lasting agreement that would contribute to regional and international security and stability.
The Kingdom also commended the mediation efforts undertaken by Pakistan and Qatar, as well as the positive engagement shown by the United States and Iran, which helped pave the way for the agreement.
Saudi Arabia further emphasized the importance of restoring security for navigation and maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to the conditions that existed before Feb. 28.
Diplomatic channels have become increasingly active as governments seek to assess the situation and prevent further escalation. Alongside his conversation with COAS Munir, Araghchi also reached out to the foreign ministers of TĂŒrkiye, UK, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and France.
During discussions, he briefed counterparts on Tehranâs position regarding recent events and reiterated Iranâs stance on safeguarding its national interests.
(May 23, 2026, 10:30 PM)
…with President Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, of The United Arab Emirates, Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, and Minister Ali al-Thawadi, of Qatar, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah, of Pakistan, President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄan, of TĂŒrkiye, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, of Egypt, King Abdullah II, of Jordan, and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, of Bahrain, concerning the Islamic Republic of Iran, and all things related to a Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE. An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries, as listed. Separately, I had a call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, which, likewise, went very well. Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly. In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP
(3h ago (19:00 GMT)
The US president says he was asked by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan âto hold off on our planned Military attackâ on Iran, âwhich was scheduled for tomorrowâ.
Trump said the Gulf leaders had noted âthat serious negotiations are now taking place, and that, in their opinion, as Great Leaders and Allies, a Deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all Countries in the Middle East, and beyondâ.
âThis Deal will include, importantly, NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!â he wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Iraqi air defense systems detected no trace of the three drones that struck Saudi facilities, the Foreign Ministry said Monday, announcing an investigation into how the aircraft crossed Iraqi territory undetected.
The ministry called on Riyadh to share relevant intelligence to help establish what happened, while reaffirming Baghdad‘s rejection of any threat to Saudi security or sovereignty.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed three drones that entered its airspace from Iraq on Sunday morning.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said the drones were neutralised after crossing into Saudi territory.
Saudi Arabiaâs Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed the latest regional developments with his Iranian and Pakistani counterparts in separate calls, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said Monday.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call on Monday from his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.
During the Princeâs call with Aragchi, the two ministers discussed the latest developments in the ongoing Pakistani-mediated diplomatic talks between Iran and the United States and exchanged views on the matter.
(May 6, 2026)
Trump surprised Gulf allies by announcing âProject Freedomâ on social media Sunday afternoon, the officials said, angering leadership in Saudi Arabia. In response, the Kingdom informed the U.S. it would not allow the U.S. military to fly aircraft from Prince Sultan Airbase southeast of Riyadh or fly through Saudi airspace to support the effort, the officials said.
A call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman did not resolve the issue, the two U.S. officials said, forcing the president to pause Project Freedom in order to restore U.S. military access to the critical airspace.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has spoken with Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to address recent Iranian missile and drone strikes, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
During the call, the crown prince conveyed Riyadhâs position on the attacks and reiterated support for the United Arab Emirates.
(December 16, 2023)
Israeli leaders believed that Hamas was more interested in governing than fighting. By the time the agents discovered the ledgers in 2018, the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was encouraging the government of Qatar to deliver millions of dollars to the Gaza Strip. He gambled that the money would buy stability and peace.
Mr. Levy recalled briefing Mr. Netanyahu personally in 2015 about the Hamas portfolio.
The premier highlighted the historic round of negotiations held in Islamabad between Washington and Tehran, signaling a potentially transformative shift in regional geopolitics. Saudi Crown Prince praised the efforts, specifically acknowledging the âconstructive roleâ played by Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistanâs Army Chief, Syed Asim Munir, in pushing forward the peace process.
Pakistan suddenly emerged as critical diplomatic epicenter in the escalating crisis. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifâs simultaneous visit to Saudi Arabia and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munirâs arrival in Iran have drawn global attention, with analysts interpreting the timing as part of a coordinated two-pronged diplomatic push aimed at defusing tensions and reviving stalled U.S.âIran engagement.
On Saturday, Turkish media reported that Saudi Arabia and Qatar will provide Pakistan with $5 billion in financial assistance to help shore up Islamabad‘s dwindling foreign currency reserves, which currently stand at about $16.4 billion.
The development comes as the UAE is requiring Pakistan to repay a $3.5 billion debt by the end of the month.
Pakistan‘s reserves have come under additional pressure recently, thanks to rising costs for imported fuel resulting from the US-Israeli war on Iran.