Day 229 | Saudi intercepts drone targeting Riyadh

Iranian media has released footage of what it says is a container ship sinking in the Strait of Hormuz, after hitting a mine.

“A container ship carrying 2,500 containers sank south of the Strait of Hormuz after hitting a naval mine and exploding, causing a massive fire,” Sepah News Agency, which is affiliated with the IRGC, said in its report.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said Wednesday that a container ship carrying more than 2,500 containers sank in the southern waters of the Strait of Hormuz after striking a naval mine and catching fire.

In a statement, the IRGC Navy said the vessel was attempting to cross what it described as an unauthorized and dangerous route through the strategic waterway when it struck the mine, triggering an explosion and a severe fire.

The ship sank Wednesday morning due to the intensity of the blaze, according to the statement.

Iranian media released footage of what it says is the container ship sinking in the Strait of Hormuz. 

“A container ship carrying 2,500 containers sank south of the Strait of Hormuz after hitting a naval mine and exploding, causing a massive fire,” Sepah News Agency, which is affiliated with the IRGC, said in its report.

The statement did not identify the ship, disclose its flag or provide information about its crew or possible casualties.

The incident comes amid heightened maritime tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported separate incidents involving a container ship and a tanker struck by unidentified projectiles on Tuesday.

The Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis said Wednesday it had targeted Saudi Aramco facilities in Dhahran and Riyadh, as well as King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital.

“The Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a qualitative military operation targeting Aramco in Dhahran in the Eastern Province, King Khalid International Airport, and the Aramco refinery in Riyadh,” the group’s military spokesperson said in a statement.

“The operation involved a large number of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones. The strikes were accurate, by the grace of Allah, and caused destruction and fires at the targeted sites,” he added.

He also vowed that “operations toward Saudi depths will continue in the coming days, targeting Saudi enemy airports and oil facilities”.

The claim comes amid escalating hostilities between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

On Tuesday, a missile struck an administrative building at Aramco’s headquarters complex in Dhahran, causing a limited fire but no casualties, according to Saudi authorities.

Houthi fighters in Yemen are seeking to manufacture their own advanced medium-range ballistic missiles using components sourced from China, according to a Wall Street Journal report, citing research by the independent weapons monitoring group Conflict Armament Research.

The group has imported a range of specialized parts needed to produce a local version of Iran’s Kheibar Shekan precision-guided missile, one of Tehran’s most capable weapons.

The resulting Houthi missile would have a range of up to about 1,200 miles (roughly 1,900–2,000 kilometers), placing all of Saudi Arabia and ‘Israel’ within striking distance.

Yemeni government authorities intercepted two shipments of the equipment in 2025, with details provided to researchers in July.

The cargo, concealed among other goods, included custom-made metal components for the missile’s motor and airframe, stabilizing fins, solid-propellant rocket motor parts from the Kheibar Shekan series, ablative heat-shield materials designed to protect against extreme temperatures, testing equipment, and related tools.

“When you have imports like that, there is a possibility that they are already manufacturing or that they are trying and it doesn’t really work out,” Fabian Hinz, a senior analyst at Conflict Armament Research, said to the Wall Street Journal.

He noted that the Houthis’ highly camouflaged facilities make it difficult to determine how advanced their production efforts have become.

The development marks a significant step for the Iran-backed Houthis, a US-designated terrorist group under a United Nations arms embargo that has controlled large parts of Yemen since the civil war began in 2014.

While the group long relied on Iranian-supplied or assembled weapons, analysts say it has increasingly moved toward greater self-reliance by diversifying supply chains and building domestic manufacturing know-how.

“Moving away from the stage of relying on Iran and Hezbollah for years, the Houthis have now grown into an organization self-reliant enough to produce weapons on their own,” Mohammed Al-Basha, founder of the US security consultancy Basha Report, told the WSJ.

He added that the group has incorporated artificial intelligence into missile and drone software, diversified suppliers, and accumulated operational experience.

Henry Thompson, a former member of the UN Panel of Experts on Yemen, warned of the heightened danger: “There is evidence that the Houthis have been importing components for solid-fuel ballistic missiles from China for at least two years.”

If the group acquires such medium-range missiles, “it will pose a much more fatal threat as they could strike deep into Saudi Arabia with missiles carrying much larger warheads,” he said.

Michael Knights of Horizon Engage observed that the trade shows China has “neither the will nor the means to control the final destination of its dual-use technologies.”

China maintains it respects the UN arms embargo on the Houthis.

Some of the seized materials have potential civilian applications, though others appear purpose-built for missile production.

Chinese companies have emerged as a major source of dual-use goods reaching the group in recent years, even as the Houthis continue to threaten regional shipping and energy infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia “intercepted and destroyed” a ballistic missile fired by the Iran-backed Houthis targeting the capital Riyadh, according to a statement by the Saudi-led coalition.

Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki on X gave an update of an “interception and destruction of a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia towards Riyadh”.

The statement comes after loud explosions were heard in Riyadh earlier, as the Yemen's Houthis step up attacks in an escalating war.

Messages were received on phones in Riyadh warning people of an "aerial threat" and urging them to take shelter.

The alert was lifted a few minutes later at the time.

Loud explosions were heard in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Wednesday, AFP journalists in the city reported, as Yemen's Houthis step up attacks in an escalating war.

Messages were received on phones in Riyadh warning people of an "aerial threat" and urging them to take shelter.

The alert was lifted a few minutes later.

Saudi Arabia’s civil defense activated the National Early Warning Platform for Emergencies early Wednesday morning, issuing an alert for a potential danger in the capital Riyadh.

A similar warning was issued around the same time for Al-Kharj Governorate.

The alerts come amid escalating hostilities by the Iran-backed Yemen’s Houthis.

US President Donald Trump threatened further action against Iran during a rally in Alaska, telling supporters to “wait until you see what we do to Iran.”

“We're going to do a number. We sort of had it. You know we've had it,” Trump said.

Trump also claimed Iran would never have a nuclear weapon.

• Tehran denies any involvement in the incident. 
• The UK says a police investigation into the incident is continuing.

 Iran summoned the British ambassador to Tehran on Tuesday over what it called "accusations" linking the country to a suspected plot against RAF Fairford air base in Britain, Iran's Foreign Ministry said.

The summons followed a statement on Monday by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who said the plot was "highly likely" to have been coordinated in Iran. Tehran denied any link to the incident.

The ministry said its director general for Western Europe told the ambassador that Britain must quickly provide documents and evidence supporting its accusations. The ministry warned that otherwise Iran would "seriously reconsider its bilateral relations" with Britain.

Iranian state news agency IRNA identified the ambassador as Hugo Shorter. It said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Alireza Yousefi received him and conveyed Tehran's strong protest. Shorter said he would pass Tehran's position on to the British authorities.

The incident

The incident occurred on Sep. 27 near RAF Fairford, an air base used by US bombers during strikes on Iran. The base, which hosts US Air Force operations, has supported missions against Iran since February amid the wider Middle East war. British police arrested five men near the base on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses and later released them on bail.

Burnham said earlier that there was a "strong indication" Iran had played a role. He stressed that the case remained a complex and very serious police investigation. Iran's embassy in London rejected the speculation as unfounded and malicious, and Tehran summoned Shorter at least once before, according to Middle East Monitor, citing Iranian state media. The UK foreign secretary has also summoned Iran's ambassador in London over the alleged plot.

Read more: UK summons Iranian ambassador after airbase incident

• The footage has not been independently verified, and the location and circumstances of the alleged fire remain unclear.
• The video emerges amid escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and Saudi-led coalition strikes in Yemen, raising concerns over the security of regional energy infrastructure.

Houthi-affiliated media published a video early Wednesday allegedly showing a fire at a facility belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco, amid escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia as the conflict between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition intensifies.

Earlier, a Saudi Energy Ministry official said an Aramco administrative building in Dhahran had been targeted, with a limited fire reported at the site. No injuries were reported, according to the official, who added that authorities had dealt with the fire.

The footage comes amid a sharp escalation in hostilities, with Saudi Arabia facing reported missile and drone attacks targeting airports and energy infrastructure. The Saudi-led coalition has also carried out strikes in Yemen, including in Houthi-controlled areas, as the conflict threatens to widen and raises concerns over the security of critical energy facilities in the region.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that its air defenses intercepted a cruise missile over Al-Kharj province, southeast of Riyadh. Authorities have not yet reported any casualties or damage linked to the interception.

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense says debris from the interception of two cruise missiles fell in Riyadh, injuring four people and causing limited material damage to 15 residential homes.

The incident comes amid escalating Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including reported strikes on key infrastructure and airports.

A Saudi Energy Ministry official says an administrative building belonging to Aramco in Dhahran was targeted, with no injuries reported. Authorities dealt with a limited fire at the building, the official added.

The incident comes amid escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including reported strikes targeting Riyadh and threats to critical infrastructure as regional tensions intensify.

• US government employees in Saudi Arabia now need special authorization from the Chief of Mission to use any airport in the Kingdom, following recent aerial attacks on airports.
• Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport remains suspended through Oct. 17, and the US Mission urges Americans to use “extreme caution” if they choose to fly.

 The US Mission to Saudi Arabia issued a security alert on Oct. 13 stating that US government employees “require special authorization from Chief of Mission to use any airport in Saudi Arabia following recent aerial attacks on airports in the Kingdom.” The alert warned US citizens to “be aware of potential attacks on airports, flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions.”

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh through Oct, 17. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam are “operational with some delays and cancellations,” according to the alert. The mission recommended that travelers check “flight departure status directly with the airline and with the airport.”

The alert said that “private car, train, and bus options may provide alternatives to air travel to or from Saudi Arabia,” and listed Saudi Arabia Railways (sar.com.sa), SAT Transportation (satrans.com.sa) and SAPTCO (saptco.com.sa/en), urging travelers to “confirm availability and schedules directly with the providers.” It added that international airports in Bahrain (BAH), Jordan (AMM), Oman (MCT), Qatar (DOH) and the United Arab Emirates (AUH, DXB, SHJ) “remain operational,” though travelers should confirm status directly with the airports.

The alert also relayed a warning from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior that “filming, publishing, or sharing information related to counter missiles and drones, and their impact sites, exposes you to legal liability.” The mission said “US citizens have been detained for not adhering to these regulations, including taking photos of government buildings, airports, and impact sites,” and noted that “visitors and residents are subject to local laws while in Saudi Arabia.”

This comes amid a sharp escalation of fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. On Oct. 8, attacks targeted King Khalid International Airport and a Saudia Airbus A320 during that escalation. The Oct. 10 strike was the deadliest in any Gulf Arab country since the start of the Iran war. Fears of a wider conflict are growing in Saudi Arabia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the "reprehensible attacks" on the Riyadh airport. NBC News reported that the strikes have raised questions about whether the United States would join another conflict in the region.

Security Alert: U.S. Mission Saudi Arabia (October 13, 2026) U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia require special authorization from Chief of Mission to use any airport in Saudi Arabia following recent aerial attacks on airports in the Kingdom. Saudia Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh through October 17. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam are operational with some delays and cancellations. U.S. citizens should be aware of potential attacks on airports, flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions. Please take extreme caution if you choose to use airports in Saudi Arabia. We recommend checking your flight departure status directly with the airline and with the airport. Private car, train, and bus options may provide alternatives to air travel to or from Saudi Arabia. Below are some transportation resources for your consideration. Please confirm availability and schedules directly with the providers. - Saudi Arabia Railways: https://t.co/aXJ0z4QKm6 - SAT Transportation: https://t.co/WP25alD6lY - SAPTCO: https://t.co/ZadKUfTa5Y International airports in neighboring countries of Bahrain (BAH), Jordan (AMM), Oman (MCT), Qatar (DOH), and the United Arab Emirates (AUH, DXB, SHJ) remain operational. Please confirm status directly with airports. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior continues to warn that “filming, publishing, or sharing information related to counter missiles and drones, and their impact sites, exposes you to legal liability.” U.S. citizens have been detained for not adhering to these regulations, including taking photos of government buildings, airports, and impact sites. Visitors and residents are subject to local laws while in Saudi Arabia. Read more: https://t.co/5tSn05gKdv

— U.S. Embassy Riyadh (@USAinKSA) October 13, 2026