Day 231 | At least two killed, six injured in attack near Yemen’s presidential palace
At least two people were killed and six others injured in an attack targeting Maashiq Palace in Aden, southern Yemen, the Associated Press reported, citing a Yemeni official.
An unnamed security official told the agency that at least two explosions occurred on the hill near the palace, while two other blasts were reported near the security gate.
A Yemeni government official told the Associated Press that many leaders of the country’s government were living in exile, adding that officials currently in Aden were safe.
The circumstances surrounding the attack and the identities of those killed or injured were not immediately clear.
Iran says US warships have moved more than 500 kilometers from Gulf coast
Iran’s army spokesperson said US warships had moved more than 500 kilometers away from the Gulf coast, warning that Tehran would force them to retreat farther if tensions escalate.
The spokesperson also urged ship owners to follow routes designated by Iran to avoid damage while navigating the Strait of Hormuz, amid ongoing regional tensions.
At least 78 ambulances destroyed in US-'Israeli' bombings, Iranian official says
Iran’s health minister, Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi, said at least 78 ambulances have been destroyed in US and ‘Israeli’ bombings since the war began in late February.
Iran’s Fars news agency reported that Zafarghandi announced the deployment of 84 new ambulances across the country to replenish the fleet.
“Replacing damaged ambulances and renewing the ageing ambulance fleet are serious necessities for the healthcare system under current conditions,” he said, referring to the ongoing fighting.
Iran says 'enemies' cannot cross Strait of Hormuz without permission
Iran’s representative to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for the Supreme Leader said the Strait of Hormuz serves as the first line of defense for the Islamic Revolution, warning that Iran’s enemies would not be able to cross it without Tehran’s permission.
The statement underscores Iran’s insistence on maintaining control over the strategic waterway, a vital route for global oil shipments.
Iran says Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until its demands are met
Iranian Army Commander-in-Chief Major General Amir Hatami said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the “enemy” respects the rights of the Iranian people, signaling Tehran’s continued opposition to reopening the strategic waterway on terms it considers unacceptable.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz threatens global energy supplies, as the strategic waterway normally handles around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade. Prolonged disruption can push up oil and fuel prices, increase shipping and insurance costs, and drive inflation by raising transport, food and production expenses. Asian economies that rely heavily on Gulf energy exports are particularly exposed, while continued disruption could weigh on global economic growth.
Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted drone heading toward Eastern Province
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis said it intercepted and destroyed a drone launched toward Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, according to a statement by coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki.
The Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi airports and oil infrastructure in recent days, including a deadly strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and an attack on Saudi Aramco facilities. The group says its attacks are in retaliation for Saudi Arabia’s renewed military intervention in Yemen in support of government forces fighting the Houthis. The escalation comes as the wider US-Iran war has reignited fighting in Yemen.
Yemen’s Houthis say they shot down reconnaissance aircraft over Marib
Yemen’s Houthi movement said it had shot down a reconnaissance aircraft conducting what it described as “hostile activities” over Marib province, according to a statement by the group’s military spokesperson.
The statement did not immediately provide further details about the aircraft or identify its operator. The claim has not been independently verified.
Trump rules out nuclear weapons, ground troops in Iran
US President Donald Trump said the United States would not use nuclear weapons or deploy ground troops against Iran. He also said Washington was holding talks with Russia and China on nuclear disarmament, Reuters reported on Thursday.
The remarks come as the US-Iran war continues and diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain uncertain. Trump has previously said Washington and Tehran were engaged in discussions aimed at ending the war, while maintaining pressure on Iran over its nuclear program.
Separately, discussions on nuclear disarmament involving the United States, Russia and China would come amid broader concerns over global nuclear arms control. The last remaining US-Russia nuclear arms control treaty, New START, expired in February 2026, raising concerns about the future of limits on the world's largest nuclear arsenals.
No Hormuz ship strikes reported Thursday, UKMTO says
No attacks on vessels were reported on Thursday in the latest update from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center, following 15 reported attacks between Oct. 6 and Oct. 14.
This come amid heightened maritime security concerns in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route for oil and gas. UKMTO monitors maritime incidents based on voluntary reports from vessels operating in the region.
UN Security Council condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
The UN Security Council has condemned Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s right to self-defence under international law.
The statement comes amid a series of reported Houthi attacks on Saudi territory and infrastructure, including a reported strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on October 10, which killed more than a dozen people.
