IRGC says second drone intercepted near Strait of Hormuz

Yemen’s Houthis carried out fresh attacks on Saudi Arabia and expanded their reach along the Red Sea coast, as Yemeni officials and Saudi officials debated potential responses in Riyadh. Simultaneously, Gulf Arab states delayed scheduled talks with Iran, raising fears the conflict could escalate and jeopardize global oil supplies.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for launching dozens of missiles and drones at a military base in Khamis Mushait, causing damage to aircraft hangars, radar systems, runways, and ammunition depots. This attack prompted emergency alerts in the affected Saudi cities. Thirteen civilians were reported injured. The Houthis' recent advances, such as capturing Perim Island at the Red Sea's entrance, have put additional strain on Saudi oil exports following an earlier attack on a pipeline that shut down the east-west oil route.

Iran-backed militias in Iraq were blamed for the pipeline sabotage. Saudi Arabia maintains the pipeline could supply up to 4% of global oil if it remains offline. In response, the Saudi and Yemeni air forces intensified bombing raids on Houthi targets, while the Houthis held control over most of Yemen's western Red Sea coast. The US has refrained from military intervention, despite requests from Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.

President Trump's recent call with the Saudi crown prince and the Houthis' appeals for restraint have not convinced Washington. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly met with US regional commander Admiral Brad Cooper in Jeddah. The planned meeting in Oman between Iran and Gulf states to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz has been postponed, with Oman citing Saudi Arabia's request.

President Trump reiterated his belief that Iran is eager to negotiate, but Iran's Supreme National Security Council dismissed the claim, stating no talks would occur until Iran's demands are addressed. The fate of the oil tanker El Gaia remains uncertain, with conflicting reports about its damage. Iran alleges the tanker was hit by mines, while the US claims it was struck by an Iranian missile.

The UN's International Maritime Organization stated the tanker was damaged on Saturday, without specifying the cause or casualties. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane, has been largely blocked since the Yemen conflict began in February, with Iran asserting control over the waterway.