Day 223 | Vance softens US nuclear posture on Iran

The United States urged its citizens in Saudi Arabia to "exercise heightened vigilance" Thursday following Houthi attacks targeting Riyadh's airport, which US government employees now need special authorization to use.

"The U.S. Mission is aware of attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh as of October 8 and reminds all U.S. citizens to exercise heightened vigilance," the State Department's consular affairs arm said on X,

It added that "U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia now require special authorization" to use the transit hub.

At least one plane was severely damaged at the Riyadh airport on Thursday, two sources briefed on the matter told AFP, hours after multiple explosions were heard across the Saudi capital.

The first source said at least one plane had suffered catastrophic damage, while the second said three planes were struck.

Yemen's Houthis announced three separate attacks targeting the airport on Thursday.

Yemen’s Houthis claimed Thursday another missile strike on Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, as the Iran-backed group ramps up its attacks.

“Our…forces targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh this evening with two cruise missiles, Najran Airport with a ballistic missile, and the air base in Khamis Mushait with a ballistic missile,” Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said.

This is the third attack on the airport in Riyadh on Thursday, according to the Houthis’ statements, with one occurring early in the morning and the second in the afternoon.

“The strikes were accurate and direct, by God’s grace, and resulted in disruptions to air traffic at the two airports, as well as damage to the airports and the air base,” he added.

Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport called on passengers to contact airlines directly before heading to the airport on Thursday, hours after multiple explosions echoed over the Saudi capital.

"We would like to inform passengers of the necessity to contact their airlines directly and check their flight status before proceeding to the airport," it said in a statement posted on X.

Yemen's Houthis said they had again targeted Riyadh airport on Thursday, after the Saudi-led coalition fighting the group said it had intercepted two missiles fired at the kingdom's capital.

"Our armed forces targeted King Khalid Airport in Riyadh at midday with a ballistic missile that hit its target," said the Houthis' military spokesman, Yahya Saree.

Smoke was seen rising from a stationary aircraft at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Thursday, Reuters reported, citing a witness and three people briefed on the incident.

The sources said the aircraft was believed to have been empty at the time. Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed the incident or its cause.

The sighting came a day after Saudi Arabia reported casualties from attacks targeting airports in the kingdom.

Saudi authorities said late Wednesday that one person was killed in a strike targeting Riyadh airport, while two others were killed in an attack on Abha airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia.

The reports came amid renewed Houthi attacks from Yemen as fighting between Houthi forces and Yemen’s internationally recognized government has intensified.

The cause of the smoke seen at Riyadh airport remained unclear, with no immediate indication that it was linked to the reported attacks.

Yemen’s Houthis claimed they launched a ballistic missile toward King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh early Thursday, saying the attack disrupted operations at the Saudi capital’s main airport.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the missile hit its intended target and claimed the strike caused disruption to air traffic.

Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed the Houthi claim that the missile struck the airport, and no Saudi casualty figures were reported in connection with the overnight attack.

Flights disrupted

Flight-tracking data showed significant disruption at King Khalid International Airport following the reported strike.

Aircraft were seen holding over Riyadh, while departures were temporarily halted and several flights were delayed or canceled. Flightradar24 data also showed significant disruption among arriving flights, with delays recorded at the airport.

The disruption came as the Houthis warned international airlines against continuing to operate flights through Saudi airspace.

Earlier Saudi casualty toll

The overnight attack followed a separate series of attacks on Saudi airports on October 6 and 7.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said Wednesday evening that those earlier attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport killed three people and injured 36 others.

One person was killed and eight were injured in the Riyadh attack, while two people were killed and 28 injured in the attack on Abha.

The figures released by Saudi authorities refer to the earlier attacks and not to the overnight missile strike on Thursday.

Wider escalation

The Houthis have claimed a series of attacks against Saudi military and aviation targets as fighting intensifies in Yemen.

The group also claimed attacks on military sites in Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Asir.

The latest strike on Riyadh airport marks another escalation in attacks affecting civilian aviation, although details of the damage and any casualties from the overnight incident remained unconfirmed.

Iraqi Airways has resumed direct flights to Iran, launching its first service from Najaf International Airport to Tehran on Thursday after an eight-month suspension linked to the war.

The Iraqi News Agency reported that the resumption followed a US exemption from sanctions imposed on Iran.

Iraqi Airways announced earlier this week that direct flights to Iran would resume on October 8, with plans for daily services connecting Najaf with Tehran, Mashhad and Isfahan.

Iraq said last week that the US exemption would allow Iranian airlines to operate up to 40 flights per day to and from Najaf. The exemption excludes Mahan Air, which Washington accuses of transporting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel, weapons and drones.

The resumption is expected to restore air links between Iraq and Iran after months of disruption.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has claimed that the actual US military death toll and destruction of American military assets are significantly higher than publicly disclosed.

In a post on X, Araghchi said a May Congressional Research Service report had documented 42 US aircraft lost or damaged during the conflict with Iran. He claimed the figure has now risen to 81.

“Proof? CENTCOM won’t let a sitting Senator inspect bases it claims are fine,” Araghchi wrote.

The CRS report did list 42 US fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, including drones, as lost or damaged. However, it said the figure was based on public reports and statements and could be revised because of classification, ongoing combat operations and questions over attribution.

Yemen’s army, loyal to the internationally recognized government, says it carried out at least 2,103 targeted operations against Houthi positions across several fronts.

A military spokesperson said the operations killed 1,860 Houthi fighters, according to the state-run Saba news agency.

The spokesperson added that the army destroyed “hundreds of pieces of equipment, materiel and military sites” during the operations.

• Hegseth awarded the strike group the Presidential Unit Citation for conducting 10,000 sorties and nearly 4,000 combat missions.
• Officials confirmed eight non-fatal suicide attempts and temporary food choices reduction, while Hegseth criticized media coverage of conditions.

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth inspected the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln on Wednesday in the Pacific as it returned from a deployment in the Middle East, where war has continued for over seven months.

The carrier originally departed California in November 2025 for missions in the South China Sea before being redirected to the Middle East, where the conflict began with joint US-'Israeli' strikes on Iran on February 28.

Addressing service members aboard the vessel, Hegseth lauded the unit's operational record:

"What the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group accomplished, no other strike group has accomplished before."

He stated that the strike group conducted 10,000 sorties, logged 23,000 combat flight hours, and completed nearly 4,000 combat sorties, before announcing that the group was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for "extraordinary heroism in action against enemy forces."

Pentagon responds to reports on shipboard conditions

The extended deployment created significant strain on crew members aboard the carrier and its strike group.

In August, military families and lawmakers raised concerns over reported suicide attempts and food shortages aboard the ship.

While US President Donald Trump rejected the claims at the time, Hegseth maintained during his visit that the situation had been "misrepresented" in public reports.

Hegseth criticized media coverage, stating that certain outlets attempted to turn the USS Abraham Lincoln into a "symbol of dysfunction" and urged the American public and media to take pride in the service members' achievements.

In a letter sent to a lawmaker last month, the Trump administration acknowledged eight suicide attempts among service members within the carrier strike group, emphasizing that none resulted in loss of life.

The letter noted that while food supplies remained "sufficient," limited resupply operations during wartime required reducing main meal selections from two options to one for a short period.

Separately, another deployed carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, faced operational challenges during a 326-day mission.

According to the US military, a laundry room fire broke out aboard the ship in March, injuring two sailors and causing extensive damage to nearly 100 berths, alongside media reports referencing significant issues with the vessel's sanitation system.

Speaking to supporters during a campaign rally at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas, US President Donald Trump claimed that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is actively negotiating with Iranian representatives and achieving positive momentum toward a potential agreement.

Addressing the crowd regarding ongoing US–Iran diplomacy, Trump alleged that Witkoff is working right now to reach an agreement with Iran and is making very good progress.

The remarks come amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing indirect exchanges between Washington and Tehran, highlighting active backchannel diplomatic efforts led by US envoys to secure a breakthrough.

• Pentagon ordered Central Command to prepare for potential strikes on Iranian energy, infrastructure, and nuclear sites.
• Execution remains pending a final strike order from US President Trump.
• 'Israeli' forces are preparing for tandem or parallel military operations.
• Timing aligns with upcoming US midterms and 'Israeli' elections, threatening regional and Strait of Hormuz stability.

The US Department of War instructed US Central Command several days ago to finalize preparations for resuming major combat operations against Iran, US officials told Axios.

While the directive did not specify a launch date and US President Donald Trump has yet to issue a final decision, US and 'Israeli' sources indicated that strikes could be initiated prior to upcoming US midterm elections, as well as 'Israeli' elections scheduled a week earlier.

If major combat operations resume, sources stated they are expected to involve massive bombardment targeting Iranian energy sectors, infrastructure, and nuclear facilities, with 'Israeli' military forces likely participating alongside US forces.

Potential campaign

The development follows a multi-hour meeting of US President Trump's national security team at Camp David on Friday.

While Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the gathering as focused on long-term policy planning, an 'Israeli' official noted that discussions included the potential resumption of combat operations in Iran.

The White House and Pentagon reaffirmed that Trump retains all strategic options.

A White House official noted that the US maintains a commanding position due to control over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's economic difficulties, stating that outcomes will proceed "the easy way or the hard way."

The report comes amid active diplomatic channels through Qatari mediators, who remain awaiting an Iranian response to a US counterproposal requiring nuclear concessions.

Meanwhile, 'Israeli' officials noted the Iranian leadership's heightened state of alert, suggesting Tehran might attempt a preemptive strike after experiencing past surprise attacks.

Resuming the war within three to four weeks could significantly impact domestic and international politics, potentially driving up global oil prices while reshaping political dynamics surrounding 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -who held two recent phone calls with Trump- as both nations prepare for potential Iranian retaliatory missile strikes.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) issued an official statement dismissing claims made by senior Iranian military officials claiming that Tehran had shut down and seized total authority over the Strait of Hormuz.

Highlighting a recent assertion by a general from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that "the Strait of Hormuz is closed" and under Iranian "full control," CENTCOM labeled the report false.

"Traffic is flowing through the Strait of Hormuz right now carrying commercial goods and energy supplies, including 20 million barrels of crude oil," CENTCOM stated, maintaining that US forces and regional allies maintain control over the maritime passage.

The public refutation by CENTCOM highlights an ongoing war of narratives surrounding the Persian Gulf's primary shipping lane, through which a significant portion of global petroleum supplies passes daily.

While Iranian commanders have repeatedly threatened to block transit through the waterway amid heightened military tensions, US defense officials maintain that freedom of navigation protocols remain enforced across international waters in the region.

Iran will deliver its official response to US proposals regarding the ongoing regional conflict through third-party intermediaries, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei announced.

Baqaei emphasized that the Islamic Republic has clearly established its requirements and conditions for ending the "imposed war" across all active fronts and for restoring security to the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

The spokesperson added that necessary feedback regarding Washington's recent proposals would be transmitted through established diplomatic channels rather than direct talks.

Muscat agreement

Addresssing maritime traffic concerns in the strategic choke point, Baqaei revealed that Iran and Oman have finalized an agreement regarding the specific geographical coordinates for safe transit corridors through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the official statement, both nations have established a formalized procedure to submit and announce these designated safe navigation routes to the appropriate international maritime authorities.

The diplomatic movement follows intensifying military friction in the Persian Gulf, with Tehran signaling its conditions for de-escalation alongside technical measures to regulate maritime passage.

For coverage of the previous day, visit the link below.

Read more: Day 222 | Houthis deny losing Red Sea territory, crude dips below $100