Day 241 | Houthi attacks intensify as Iran tensions mount ahead of ‘Israeli’ elections
Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed it launched ballistic missiles at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and military installations in Khamis Mushait and Jizan, as cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia intensified. The claims have not been independently verified. Saudi authorities reported intercepting multiple ballistic missiles and drones, while Civil Defense said shrapnel from intercepted missiles injured two people and damaged three residential buildings and seven vehicles in Khamis Mushait and Ahad Rufaidah. The Houthis also renewed warnings to airlines, airport staff and travelers against using Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, declaring it a military target. Saudi authorities subsequently lifted danger alerts in Taif and Jazan, urging residents to continue following safety instructions.
The renewed hostilities have further undermined a UN-brokered truce that had largely held since 2022. Riyadh’s airport had partially resumed operations following disruptions linked to earlier attacks, including an October 10 strike that reportedly killed 13 people. The latest developments come amid a broader escalation in attacks attributed to the Houthis against Saudi airports, military installations and other infrastructure.
Meanwhile, a reported confrontation has emerged between ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir over a proposed operation linked to Iran, according to Hebrew Channel 12. The broadcaster reported that Zamir sought a detailed discussion and written authorization before proceeding with an action security officials feared could trigger a rapid escalation with Tehran. Sources cited by the channel suggested concerns that the Iran front could be exploited for political gain ahead of the October 27 election. Netanyahu denied that a confrontation had taken place, while opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot expressed support for Zamir and warned against using the military for political purposes.
Netanyahu has also reportedly sought additional public support from US President Donald Trump ahead of the election, according to Axios. The report said Netanyahu spoke with Trump twice in three days and suggested language for further endorsements. Final pre-election polls cited by the outlet projected Netanyahu’s bloc at around 50 seats in the 120-member Knesset, short of the 61 required for a majority. Trump had previously issued a public endorsement of Netanyahu and warned that a different leader could complicate Washington’s approach to Iran.
Tensions over Iran and the Strait of Hormuz also remained central to regional developments. US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper visited the strategic waterway on Sunday, saying its primary shipping routes were clear of Iranian sea mines following US-led clearance operations. CENTCOM said more than 3,000 commercial vessels had transited the strait with US support over six months. The waterway remains a critical route for global energy supplies, and the US continues to enforce a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Iran, meanwhile, signaled its readiness to resume negotiations with Washington, with Tehran’s ambassador to Pakistan saying the country was prepared to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the US lifted its naval blockade. Pakistan is expected to continue playing a central role in mediation efforts. Trump has declined to rule out further military action against Iran, saying a strike could take place soon while also suggesting that a negotiated agreement remained possible. Separate reports cited in the coverage indicate that US and ‘Israeli’ forces have prepared plans for potential renewed strikes.
Former US President Barack Obama linked Iran’s leverage over the Strait of Hormuz to rising oil and diesel prices, while defending the 2015 nuclear agreement as an example of diplomacy limiting Tehran’s nuclear ambitions without military action. Trump, by contrast, defended his decision to withdraw from the agreement in 2018, saying he had terminated it “just in time” and acknowledging the difficulty of identifying Iranian officials with whom Washington could negotiate.
Together, the developments highlight mounting instability across the region, with renewed Houthi attacks threatening Saudi security and aviation, the possibility of renewed US-Iran military confrontation hanging over the Strait of Hormuz, and the approaching ‘Israeli’ election intensifying scrutiny of Netanyahu’s handling of regional security.
Saudi-led coalition says it destroyed two missile launch platforms in Sanaa
The Saudi-led coalition ssaid it destroyed two ballistic missile launch platforms in Sanaa, one of which it said was used to launch a ballistic missile toward Riyadh.
The coalition said it would continue operations to dismantle the Houthi group’s ballistic missile network.
This comes amid increaisng Houthi drone and missile attacks on the kingdom, with one interception reported over Riyadh early Monday.
Saudi-led coalition says ballistic missile intercepted over Riyadh
The Saudi-led coalition announced that air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis toward Riyadh.
This comes after alarms sounded in the capital city.
Riyadh warning lifted, Saudi Civil Defense says
Saudi Arabia’s National Early Warning Platform has announced that the danger in Riyadh City has passed, following an earlier alert issued to residents.
Civil Defense urged the public to continue following safety instructions, avoid gatherings and refrain from filming. Residents were advised to call 911 in case of an emergency.
This comes amid escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, with multiple reported drone and ballsitic missile interceptions over the capital city.
Saudi Arabia issues emergency warning in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense issued an emergency alert in Riyadh early Monday, warning residents of potential danger as missile and drone attacks targeting the kingdom continued amid escalating hostilities with Yemen’s Houthis.
This comes amid multiple Houthi drone and ballistic missile strikes against Saudi Arabia, including a deadly strike on Riyadh airprot on Oct. 10.
Trump urges ‘Israelis’ to re-elect Netanyahu
- Trump repeats his Oct. 18 endorsement, linking the ‘Israeli’ prime minister’s re-election to the campaign against Iran.
- The renewed backing comes as polls indicate Netanyahu’s coalition could fall short of a parliamentary majority.
US President Donald Trump has renewed Sunday his endorsement of ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of ‘Israel's’ Oct. 27 parliamentary election, urging voters to keep him in office and saying that the two leaders must “finish the job” against Iran.
In a Truth Social post. Trump re-shared the endorsement he issued a week earlier, when he offered Netanyahu his “complete and total endorsement” and described him as a “Great Warrior Prime Minister.” Trump’s latest message again tied Netanyahu’s leadership to their military campaign against Iran.
“Bibi and I have had a great relationship in winning together,” Trump wrote, citing US military operations in Venezuela and Iran as examples of their cooperation.
Trump referred to Operation Midnight Hammer, the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, and Operation Epic Fury, the joint US-’Israeli’ military campaign against Iran launched on February 28. He claimed the operations had left Iran without a navy or air force and its military and economy “in shambles,” adding that the country’s inflation rate had reached 301%.
Addressing ‘Israeli’ voters directly, Trump urged them to consider Netanyahu’s record when casting their ballots, calling him an “outstanding Warrior Prime Minister.”
The president also invoked the slogans “Death to America, Death to Israel,” describing the US-’Israeli’ alliance as central to confronting Iran. “Vote for Bibi Netanyahu for Prime Minister, we have to finish the job that we started!” he wrote.
Election overshadowed by war and political uncertainty
Trump’s renewed endorsement comes as Netanyahu faces a closely contested election, with pre-election polling indicating that his coalition could struggle to secure the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority. The vote is the first ‘Israeli’ national election since Oct. 7, 2023 and follows years of conflict across Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.
The endorsement followed months in which Trump had refrained from backing Netanyahu, amid reported differences over Iran and Gaza. Trump had previously questioned whether he would endorse a candidate, making his public support shortly before the election a departure from his earlier position.
Netanyahu welcomed Trump’s initial endorsement, thanking the US president and saying the two countries would “complete the mission.” His political opponents, meanwhile, maintained that ‘Israel’s’ leadership should be decided by ‘Israeli' voters.
With the election approaching, Trump’s latest message reinforces his effort to make the US-’Israeli’ military partnership and the confrontation with Iran central issues in Netanyahu’s campaign.
