Trump weighs renewed Iran strikes as Saudi airport attack kills 12

President Donald Trump is mulling over the possibility of launching additional strikes on Iran following a deadly assault on Saudi Arabia's principal airport. The attack, which killed 12 and injured 309, forced the temporary closure of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The Saudi-led coalition held Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis responsible and vowed to retaliate militarily.

Although Trump had previously dismissed the idea of attacking Iran, he suggested Washington could join Saudi strikes against the Houthis and reevaluate military action against Tehran ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections. He also intended to converse with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The escalating tension has sparked apprehensions about regional transportation and energy infrastructure.

A vessel was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, igniting a fire, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency. The crew was reported unharmed. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed a supertanker experienced a major explosion after colliding with a mine while navigating an unauthorized route through the Strait of Hormuz.

US Central Command stated its forces disabled a Panama-flagged commercial ship in the Gulf of Oman after its crew disregarded warnings and tried to breach Washington's naval blockade against Iran. The military reported that a fighter jet struck the vessel's stern, rendering its propulsion inoperable without harming the crew. CENTCOM also mentioned rerouting 135 commercial vessels and disabling four since July 14 when the blockade was reinstated.

Saudi-led coalition forces reported neutralizing a ballistic missile aimed at Al-Kharj, close to Prince Sultan Air Base, which houses Saudi and American military personnel. Another projectile reportedly struck near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. The security situation has disrupted international aviation, with several nations advising citizens to avoid Riyadh airport.

Indian carrier Akasa Air temporarily suspended flights to Saudi Arabia until October 13. The World Petroleum Congress in Riyadh, however, proceeded as planned. These latest strikes risk exacerbating efforts to stabilize the region, as renewed combat could disrupt Gulf shipping, aviation, and energy supplies.