Houthi Strike Kills 3 at Riyadh Airport as Trump Pledges No Iran Attacks Before Midterms

Three Saudi citizens were killed and several others injured during a Houthi rebel attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Thursday, marking the deadliest incident in Saudi Arabia since the kingdom launched a major military offensive in Yemen last weekend. The strike, which also targeted an empty Saudia Airlines aircraft, has intensified concerns that the conflict is spreading beyond its traditional battlegrounds.

Saudi authorities confirmed the fatalities, identifying one victim as Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami of the national carrier. This appears to be the first confirmed attack on a Saudia plane since the renewed offensive against the Iran-backed Houthis began. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) stated that injuries to both Saudi citizens and foreigners of various nationalities ranged from minor to serious.

The escalation comes amid a broader war in the Middle East triggered by a joint U.S.-Israeli assault on Iran in late February. Fighting between the Iranian proxy group and Saudi-backed forces in Yemen has emerged as a new epicenter of the regional conflict. On Thursday, the Houthis warned global airlines “for the last time” regarding the risks of flying in Saudi airspace, which they have declared a military theater.

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In a significant diplomatic development, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that Tehran has revised its proposals for peace talks with the United States and is prepared to finalize them through intermediaries. Speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pezeshkian accused Washington of repeatedly undermining diplomatic efforts by launching attacks whenever negotiations were discussed.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that the United States would not attack Iran prior to the midterm elections on November 3. He highlighted “productive conversations” with Iranian counterparts and noted that oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz had reached 22 million barrels in a single night, a figure comparable to prewar levels.

Following Trump’s announcement, the price of Brent crude oil decreased to approximately $103 a barrel, down from $105 earlier in the day. The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia has issued a new security alert, urging Americans to exercise heightened vigilance at Riyadh’s airport due to the potential for flight cancellations and airspace closures. Additionally, the USS Abraham Lincoln, carrying over 4,500 sailors, returned to San Diego on Thursday after a deployment exceeding 10 months, including significant time supporting U.S. operations in the Middle East.