Coalition says it intercepted drones aimed at Mecca and southern Saudi Arabia as blasts hit Aden
The Saudi-led coalition said on Wednesday that it intercepted and destroyed two drones launched by the Houthis toward Mecca and Saudi Arabia's southern region, along with missiles aimed at Riyadh, while explosions were heard in Aden after military camps were targeted with missiles. In a statement, the Houthis said they targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and pumping station 11 in Yanbu, and denied targeting Mecca, calling the claim false. The escalation follows strikes on Sanaa that reportedly killed more than 40 people, about 20 of them children, while fighting continues in Marib and al-Jawf.
Why it matters The Houthis' claimed targeting of sites in Riyadh and Yanbu points to a widening confrontation that reaches civilian and vital infrastructure inside Saudi Arabia. This raises concerns over aviation and energy security in the region and adds pressure on efforts to calm the conflict in Yemen.
Iran urges response to Hormuz reopening plan, rules out concessions on its arsenal
Iran has called for a response to an earlier proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while insisting on its seven conditions and refusing concessions on its nuclear and missile capabilities. Washington, for its part, is maintaining pressure on Tehran and keeping the military option open even as diplomacy continues, Sky News Arabia reported.
Vance weighs face-to-face talks with Iran's security council chief
The Wall Street Journal, citing officials, reports that US Vice President JD Vance is considering direct, face-to-face talks with Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, amid discussion of ending the war. The paper says mediators have proposed immediate confidence-building steps between Washington and Tehran.
