Saudi Arabia issues first alert in the capital since escalation, and other Mideast developments

Saudi Arabia has issued its first emergency alert in the capital Riyadh since hostilities with Iran-backed rebels in Yemen escalated. A "hostile aerial threat" warning was broadcast overnight. The city saw a puff of smoke later in the day, but no injuries or damage were reported. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council chief Mohsen Rezaei revealed that Tehran has handed Washington its conditions for halting the conflict via Qatar, a mediator.

These conditions include ending the war, returning seized assets, and lifting a U.S. blockade on Iranian ports. Iran executed a man accused of spying for Israel’s Mossad after the U.S.-Iran negotiations collapsed. The execution of Hossein Pedram is part of a recent increase in executions by Iran, which has drawn criticism from human rights organizations.

In Gaza, three people were killed in Israeli strikes, with another person sustaining injuries. The Israeli military targeted Hezbollah’s military operatives in multiple areas of southern Lebanon following a Hezbollah explosive device that wounded two Israeli soldiers. No fatalities were reported in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister discussed energy security and maritime safety with Iran’s Foreign Minister, emphasizing the global impact of energy disruptions.

Iran’s state TV reported that a race was held with women running without veils, violating Islamic rules, with about 5% of participants found to have broken the race rules.