Day 240 | US warns Iran strike could come this weekend as Houthi attacks escalate
The United States could launch strikes against Iran as soon as this weekend, US Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack said Friday, as Washington weighs renewed military action and regional tensions intensify following a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to podcast host Mario Nawfal during a visit to the Gulf, Barrack said a US strike in the coming days was possible, while emphasizing that Trump remained open to a negotiated settlement after months of diplomatic efforts.
Barrack, who serves as Washington’s envoy to Türkiye and point person on Syria, said the president was “open and available and accessible to a deal.” He added, however, that continued threats against the United States, its allies and Gulf countries would carry consequences.
The envoy also sought to distinguish Washington’s objectives from Netanyahu’s stated ambitions. While the “Israeli” prime minister has repeatedly called for the overthrow of Iran’s clerical government, Barrack said the US was not pursuing regime change, questioning what would follow the removal of the current leadership.
The remarks come as Trump has signalled that military strikes could resume after a prolonged diplomatic deadlock, although he previously suggested action would not take place before the November 3 US congressional elections. 'Israel' has reportedly pressed Washington to act sooner, but has so far been unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the US is taking precautionary measures across the region. The State Department ordered non-emergency personnel and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia, citing increasingly frequent Houthi attacks on civilian infrastructure, including airports. CNN also reported that Washington has been quietly adjusting staffing at diplomatic missions in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon.
The moves have revived concerns among US diplomatic personnel following earlier evacuations during the conflict involving Iran, the United States and 'Israel.' Some families have reportedly been instructed to leave again despite recently returning, with concerns over housing assistance, relocation costs and communication from Washington.
The developments coincide with a sharp escalation in Houthi operations against Saudi Arabia. The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said Saturday that its forces carried out seven missile and drone attacks against targets including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Najran Airport and King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait.
The Houthis also claimed to have targeted Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu, the Rabigh oil refinery and pumping stations along the East-West pipeline. Saree said the attacks were retaliation for Saudi-led coalition strikes on Yemen, alleging that the coalition had carried out 100 airstrikes in a 24-hour period. The claims have not been independently verified.
Separately, the Houthis said they had targeted Saudi military positions in Aden, accusing Saudi officers of preparing operations against Yemen. They provided no details on casualties or damage.
Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Malki, meanwhile, said air defences intercepted and destroyed two Houthi ballistic missiles targeting Taif and Yanbu. Saudi civil defence authorities also issued an early-warning alert across the Mecca region before announcing six minutes later that the immediate danger had passed.
Iran has issued its own warnings amid the growing military tensions. Major General Ali Abdollahi, chief of the Iranian Armed Forces General Staff, said Tehran would not allow US warships to enter the Persian Gulf, while accusing Trump of using contradictory statements about Iran’s nuclear programme to mislead public opinion.
The competing threats, reported military operations and diplomatic evacuations underscore the risk that renewed US strikes on Iran could coincide with further attacks across the Gulf, threatening civilian infrastructure, regional security and vital energy routes.
Netanyahu warns Iran may try to disrupt election, says “don't test us”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran and its allies might try to disrupt Tuesday's ‘Israeli’ elections, warning the Islamic republic against any hostile acts.
The remarks came as Hebrew Channel 12 reported, citing unnamed sources, that there had been a confrontation between Netanyahu and army chief Eyal Zamir over an unspecified new directive in the war with Iran, which the premier denied.
Netanyahu has campaigned heavily on his security credentials, touting the war he launched against Iran in February alongside the United States and suggesting that he alone can see it through.
"We have intelligence signs that our enemies, Iran and its proxies, could challenge us with attacks in order to disrupt the elections," Netanyahu said in a video released by his office on Sunday.
"Don't test us. You will suffer disproportionate blows," he added, noting the military was ready for both defensive and offensive operations.
In its report on the purported confrontation between Netanyahu and Zamir, Channel 12 said the latter had "demanded an in-depth discussion before carrying out the directive he had received, as well as legal guarantees and the signatures of the political echelon".
It did not offer details of the directive, but cited sources saying there were concerns within the army that the war might be exploited for political gain.
In a television appearance later in the day, Netanyahu dismissed the report as "nothing but rubbish".
Opposition leader Yair Lapid referenced the report in a post on X, accusing Netanyahu of seeking to put off the vote.
"Tonight it was published that he wants to set off an escalation and a confrontation with Iran, just to postpone the elections," he said.
"This man has lost his grip. We absolutely must send him home."
Earlier on Sunday, the premier posted an AI-generated image of a mushroom cloud engulfing Tel Aviv, alongside text attributed to a right-wing political commentator calling Iran an existential threat and arguing that all the other issues discussed this election season were trivial in comparison.
On Wednesday, Netanyahu said he had sent a directive to ‘Israel's’ security forces to topple Iran's clerical state.
A day earlier, he posted a video of himself in front of a fighter jet speaking to US President Donald Trump by phone saying they would "finish the job" together.
‘Israeli’ army chief allegedly resisted Netanyahu order to strike Iran
An unprecedented confrontation has erupted between ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the military’s Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir over a proposed military action linked to Iran, just days before Tuesday’s elections, according to a report by Hebrew Channel 12
Channel 12 reported that Zamir recently received a directive from the political echelon to carry out an unspecified action that security officials said would “trigger a rapid escalation into a confrontation with Iran.”
Due to the sensitive nature of the matter, Zamir requested an in-depth discussion and formal written authorization signed by political leaders before proceeding.
Sources familiar with the details told the channel that Zamir and other senior military leaders fear the political leadership may be seeking to exploit the Iran front for political gain ahead of the vote.
A senior ‘Israeli’ security official told Channel 12: “History will not forget the role Zamir played in recent days.”
The official described the ordered action as one that “could lead to a lightning confrontation with Iran at a sensitive and dramatic moment, and create a miscalculation.”
The report was cleared for publication by ‘Israel’s’ military censor.
Netanyahu denied any clash late Sunday night on Channel 14’s program The Patriots, stating “there is no confrontation” and claiming that “someone is trying to obscure the fact that Zamir himself had said Iran was attempting to interfere in the elections.”
Political officials quoted by the channel rejected the suggestion of electoral motives as “an outright lie.”
Yashar party chairman and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu’s main election rival, publicly backed Zamir’s caution.
“Netanyahu, my eyes are on you,” Eisenkot said.
“The man, on whose watch the greatest disaster in the nation’s history occurred, refuses to grasp that Israel’s security is not a political plaything; that the lives of Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers are not to be treated with reckless disregard; and that the State of Israel is not his private property.”
He added that he has “full confidence in IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the IDF commanders, who act with professional responsibility and an absolute commitment to the nation’s security,” and warned: “We will not allow the IDF to be turned into a tool for Netanyahu’s political survival campaign. Do not dare to place your own political interests above the security of the State.”
The reported tensions come amid heightened sensitivity around any renewed confrontation with Iran so close to the October 27 elections.
Earlier this month, Zamir had indicated there was no operational need for a strike before the vote, and he had previously warned US officials that escalation could disrupt the election schedule.
Netanyahu, for his part, has continued to highlight Iranian threats, including posting imagery related to potential attacks and recording a warning video near an Arrow missile defense battery.
CENTCOM chief visits Strait of Hormuz, declares routes clear of Iranian mines
US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Adm. Brad Cooper visited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, flying over the strategic waterway in a US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter, according to an official statement.
The visit came as US forces marked a significant milestone in assisting Gulf partners with the export of more than 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil since the summer, according to a CENTCOM statement.
More than 3,000 commercial vessels have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz with support from CENTCOM forces over the past six months.
https://t.co/nkXeQtMfrY
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) October 25, 2026
Cooper stated: “We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Gulf partners and the shipping industry. This visit underscores our strong commitment to continued freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”
The trip followed US military efforts to clear international shipping lanes of sea mines that CENTCOM said had been laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
During the visit, Cooper met with US service members who supported the mine-clearance mission and thanked them for their dedication.
“Today, primary transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz remain free and clear of Iranian sea mines thanks to incredible efforts by our people,” he said.
Cooper added that forces remain focused on sustaining commercial traffic: “We remain intensely focused on keeping commercial traffic flowing as we work with our teammates in the U.S. interagency, Gulf Cooperation Council, and shipping industry.”
CENTCOM reported that in recent months, over 95% of ships navigating the strait have sailed through safely despite what it described as the IRGC’s unwarranted aggression.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global energy chokepoint, and the US has maintained a naval presence and related operations in the area amid prolonged tensions with Iran, including a blockade on Iranian ports that has been strictly enforced.
Houthis say targeted Riyadh airport, Saudi naval base, airbase
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group said it carried out three military operations using dozens of ballistic missiles, targeting an airport and military installations in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the first operation targeted King Khalid International Airport in the capital, Riyadh, claiming it successfully hit its target.
The second operation targeted aircraft parking areas, ammunition depots, drone control centers and other sites at King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Saree claimed the strikes were accurate and direct.
The third operation targeted the Southern Naval Base of Saudi Arabia’s Border Guard Forces in Jizan, with the spokesperson claiming the attack caused deaths and injuries among Saudi soldiers and officers.
The claims have not been independently verified.
Escalating cross-border attacks
The statement comes amid renewed fighting between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi authorities said on Sunday that air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile launched toward Riyadh and a cruise missile aimed at Khamis Mushait.
The Saudi-led coalition also reported intercepting 10 ballistic missiles targeting southern Saudi Arabia.
The escalation has also affected civilian infrastructure.
King Khalid International Airport partially resumed operations on Sunday after suspending services following an October 10 attack claimed by the Houthis that killed 13 people.
The renewed hostilities have shattered a UN-brokered truce that had largely held since 2022. Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015 in support of the internationally recognized government, a year after the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa.
Houthis say targeted Riyadh airport, Saudi naval base, airbase
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group said it carried out three military operations using dozens of ballistic missiles, targeting an airport and military installations in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the first operation targeted King Khalid International Airport in the capital, Riyadh, claiming it successfully hit its target.
The second operation targeted aircraft parking areas, ammunition depots, drone control centers and other sites at King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Saree claimed the strikes were accurate and direct.
The third operation targeted the Southern Naval Base of Saudi Arabia’s Border Guard Forces in Jizan, with the spokesperson claiming the attack caused deaths and injuries among Saudi soldiers and officers.
The claims have not been independently verified.
Escalating cross-border attacks
The statement comes amid renewed fighting between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi authorities said on Sunday that air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile launched toward Riyadh and a cruise missile aimed at Khamis Mushait.
The Saudi-led coalition also reported intercepting 10 ballistic missiles targeting southern Saudi Arabia.
The escalation has also affected civilian infrastructure.
King Khalid International Airport partially resumed operations on Sunday after suspending services following an October 10 attack claimed by the Houthis that killed 13 people.
The renewed hostilities have shattered a UN-brokered truce that had largely held since 2022. Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015 in support of the internationally recognized government, a year after the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa.
Netanyahu urges Trump for more elections support in “sign of desperation”: report
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pressed US President Donald Trump in recent days for additional public support ahead of Tuesday’s closely contested ‘Israeli’ election, according to Axios.
A US source with knowledge of the matter and an ‘Israeli’ source briefed on the contacts told Axios that Netanyahu is fighting for political survival and has asked Trump to reinforce the endorsement he issued last Sunday on Truth Social.
The US source described the White House view of Netanyahu’s aggressive lobbying as a “sign of desperation” and an indication that the ‘Israeli’ leader believes he is trailing.
According to the US source, Netanyahu spoke with Trump twice in the past three days and urged him to double down on his earlier public backing.
Netanyahu reportedly even suggested specific language for further statements of support.
An ‘Israeli’ source added that the prime minister proposed Trump hold calls with ‘Israeli’ reporters to express additional endorsement.
Trump’s initial endorsement came after weeks of hesitation.
In his Truth Social post, he called Netanyahu “a Great Warrior Prime Minister” and “an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran,” warning that “if Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work [in Iran] ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so.”
Trump gave Netanyahu his “Complete and Total Endorsement” and declared “BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
He later told Axios he had always planned to endorse but “just didn’t want to do it too soon,” citing their “good relationship.”
Final pre-election polls released Friday by three major Hebrew television networks projected Netanyahu’s bloc at just 50 seats in the 120-member Knesset—well short of the 61 needed for a majority and a sharp drop from the coalition’s current strength.
His Likud party was projected at around 20 seats.
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc was given 52 to 56 seats in those surveys, with additional seats for Arab parties.
A pro-Netanyahu Channel 14 poll earlier in the week was a notable outlier, showing stronger numbers for the prime minister’s camp.
One US official framed Trump’s endorsement as a potential win-win regardless of the outcome: if Netanyahu prevails or stays on as caretaker, Trump could claim credit for the political rescue and press for concessions; if Netanyahu loses, ‘Israel’s’ new leaders would still have strong incentives to maintain good relations with Washington.
Some of Trump’s advisers, however, see possible advantages for the US Middle East agenda in a government led by someone other than Netanyahu, according to Axios.
The unusual public intervention—the first time a US president has explicitly endorsed a candidate in an ‘Israeli’ election—comes amid a turbulent but long-standing relationship between the two leaders.
Two injured by shrapnel from intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles: Saudi authorities
Saudi Arabia Civil Defense said on Sunday that shrapnel from two ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthi forces fell in the southern governorates of Khamis Mushait and Ahad Rufaidah after the missiles were intercepted and destroyed.
The incident resulted in two injuries—a Saudi citizen and an Asian resident—and material damage to three residential buildings and seven vehicles, according to the statement.
It comes amid a sharp increase in cross-border attacks in October.
#الدفاع_المدني : سقوط شظايا نتيجة اعتراض صاروخين باليستيين أطلقتهما الميليشيا الحوثية الإرهابية في محافظتي خميس مشيط وأحد رفيدة نتج عنه إصابتان وأضرار مادية في (3) مبان سكنية و(7) مركبات. https://t.co/NdgUduF1kQ
— الدفاع المدني السعودي (@SaudiDCD) October 25, 2026
The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s government has reported intercepting multiple Houthi ballistic missiles and drones targeting Riyadh, Khamis Mushait, other southern areas, airports, and energy infrastructure.
Coalition figures indicate the Houthis fired at least 14 ballistic missiles and more than 60 armed drones at Saudi territory during the month.
Earlier in October, Houthi strikes on Saudi airports caused fatalities and injuries, and operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh were temporarily disrupted.
The Houthis have claimed responsibility for attacks on military bases, airports, and oil facilities, while denying some reports of debris near holy sites.
A UN-brokered truce from 2022 that had largely halted such exchanges has effectively collapsed amid the renewed fighting.
Houthis renew warning to airlines over Riyadh airport, declaring it military target
The military spokesperson for Yemen’s Houthi movement, Yahya Saree, issued a renewed warning for international, regional, and local airlines against operating flights through King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
Saree stated that the airport remains unsafe for civilian traffic, claiming that the armed forces aligned with the Sana'a-based administration consider the site a military target.
The spokesperson cautioned all aviation companies, airport personnel, and travelers against using the facility, stating that operations targeting the airport are slated to continue.
Saree added that "the Saudi regime bears the consequences of operating the airport and whatever may result from that, as the armed forces will continue their operations toward it and it will never be safe."
Iran ready to resume US talks, links Hormuz reopening to blockade: Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan
Iran is ready to resume negotiations with the United States, Iranian media reported, citing Tehran’s ambassador to Pakistan.
The ambassador said Tehran had expressed willingness to reopen the Strait of Hormuz during a visit by Pakistan’s army chief, on the condition that Washington lift its naval blockade.
He added that Pakistan would continue playing a central role in efforts to resolve the conflict.
Saudi emergency agency lifts danger alerts as Houthi attacks continue
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence has lifted potential danger alerts issued for the regions of Taif and Jazan.
The alerts were sent to mobile phones at 12:53 p.m. local time (09:53 GMT).
“The danger has passed,” Civil Defence said in a statement, urging residents to continue following its safety instructions and avoid gatherings and photography.
Saudi Arabia says it intercepted Houthi ballistic missile targeting Riyadh
Saudi Arabia’s air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement toward Riyadh, according to the Saudi-led coalition.
The announcement follows an early warning alert issued in the capital and an AFP journalist’s report of three explosions heard in the city.
Earlier, the coalition also announced the interception and destruction of two drones in the Riyadh region, as security alerts and reported aerial threats heighten tensions in the Saudi capital.
Three explosions heard in Riyadh after alert: AFP
Three explosions were heard in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, an AFP journalist reported, following an early warning alert issued by the National Early Warning Platform.
The alert comes after the Saudi-led coalition announced the interception and destruction of two drones in the Riyadh region earlier today.
Saudi Arabia issues early warning alert in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia’s National Early Warning Platform has issued an alert in Riyadh, warning residents of a potential danger and urging them to follow official safety instructions.
The alert comes after the Saudi-led coalition announced the interception and destruction of two Houthi drones in the Riyadh region earlier today.
Saudi-led coalition announces drone interception over Riyadh
The Saudi-led coalition announced that it intercepted and destroyed a drone in the Riyadh region, marking the second drone interception reported tonight.
The interception comes amid escalating Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia, including a renewed threat against its airports.
Trump says he scrapped Iran nuclear deal ‘just in time’
US President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States must ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon, defending his decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal while acknowledging difficulties in identifying Iranian officials with whom Washington could negotiate.
“I terminated the Iran nuclear deal, luckily, just in time,” Trump said, reiterating his opposition to Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Trump also said he had to stop killing Iranian leaders because he needed to determine whom the United States would be negotiating with.
“I gotta stop” killing Iranian leaders, Trump said, adding, “because I gotta figure out who the hell we're negotiating with.”
The remarks came as former US President Barack Obama criticized Trump's handling of the war with Iran, arguing Saturday that Tehran's leverage over the Strait of Hormuz had contributed to rising oil and fuel prices.
Saudi-led coalition announces drone interception over Riyadh
The Saudi-led coalition announced early Sunday that its air defences had intercepted and destroyed a drone in the Riyadh region, as Saudi Arabia faces renewed aerial threats amid escalating attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement.
The incident comes as Saudi Arabia prepares to resume operations at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Sunday, October 25, following disruptions caused by a series of attacks on the Saudi capital and its aviation infrastructure.
Yemen’s Houthis issued a warning early Sunday against the use of the airport, describing it as unsafe and threatening further operations against the facility. The group warned airlines, airport employees and passengers against using the airport following the announcement of its reopening.
Obama says Iran has ‘Veto Power’ over Hormuz, blames crisis for rising prices
- The former president contrasted his administration’s 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran with military approaches, saying diplomacy had achieved results without firing a missile.
- His remarks come amid heightened tensions over the strategic waterway, a critical route for global oil shipments.
Former US President Barack Obama said Saturday that Iran now has “veto power” over the Strait of Hormuz, linking the strategic waterway’s disruption to rising oil prices and broader increases in the cost of living, while defending his administration’s nuclear agreement with Tehran as an example of diplomacy preventing the need for military action.
“Iran now has veto power over the Strait of Hormuz, where oil goes through to the world market,” Obama said.
“This is the reason why the price of oil is up. Nobody disputes that. This is the reason the price of diesel is up,” he added, linking the situation to rising prices across the economy.
Obama also defended his administration’s approach to Iran’s nuclear program, arguing that negotiations had prevented Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons without resorting to military force.
“Iran didn't have nuclear weapons because I had put a deal in place and I didn't have to fire a missile to do it. I just had to engage in diplomacy,” he said.
Obama was referring to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an agreement between Iran and six world powers that imposed restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief and established international monitoring measures.
The agreement was a central element of Obama’s foreign policy toward Iran. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the deal in 2018 during his first term and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important energy transit routes, carrying oil and petroleum products from Gulf producers to international markets. Disruptions to shipping through the waterway can send energy prices higher, with knock-on effects for transportation, manufacturing and consumer costs.
The dispute over the strait has become a key dimension of the wider confrontation, as control over access to the waterway gives Iran significant leverage over global energy flows.
Read more: US could strike Iran this weekend, envoy says
‘Maybe Tomorrow’: Trump declines to rule out attack on Iran
- The US president refuses to disclose the administration’s military plans when questioned by The Wall Street Journal.
- Trump says a military strike remains possible but also points to the prospect of a negotiated agreement with Tehran.
US President Donald Trump has refused to rule out a military attack on Iran, saying an assault could take place as soon as the following day while also holding out the possibility of a diplomatic agreement.
Asked by a reporter from The Wall Street Journal how far the administration had progressed in considering a possible attack, Trump dismissed the question and declined to disclose his plans.
“Would you really think I'd tell you that?” Trump said, questioning whether the newspaper could ask “a question so stupid.”
“While we're thinking about doing it and maybe tomorrow, do you really think I'm going to tell you?” he added.
Trump acknowledged that military action remained an option, saying, “If I'm going to do it, and there's a possibility I will,” before pointing to the prospect of an agreement with Tehran.
“There's also a possibility we'll have a nice, big, beautiful agreement,” he said, adding that Iran wanted to reach a deal.
However, Trump questioned whether Tehran would abide by any potential agreement, saying: “But the problem is, will they hold the deal?”
The remarks come as reporting by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal points to growing preparations for a possible resumption of the US-Israeli war against Iran, despite Trump's public statements about diplomacy and his pledge not to launch attacks before the Nov. 3 US midterm elections.
A New York Times report published Oct. 22 said US and ‘Israeli’ militaries had developed plans for renewed strikes after the elections, potentially targeting Iran's energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone arsenals. The report said military exercises had intensified and that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss possible operations.
Read more: Trump advisors see opportunity in ‘Israeli’ government without Netanyahu: report
