Saudi-led coalition says drones targeting Riyadh, Eastern Province destroyed

The Saudi-led coalition reported that its forces intercepted and destroyed a drone in the Riyadh region and another in the eastern province. A coalition spokesperson confirmed the destruction of the drone over the Riyadh area in a brief statement, according to Ajel English. Meanwhile, Houthis stated that the coalition conducted two air attacks in the port city of Hodeidah, according to Middle East Eye.

In the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy has warned that the strait is closed. The IRGC claimed a supertanker carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil struck a sea mine while attempting to pass through the strait, with Iran's ISNA agency reporting the blast caused a severe fire.

Conversely, US Central Command (CENTCOM) maintains the strait remains open and available for transit. CENTCOM spokesperson Navy Captain Tim Hawkins stated that approximately 97 per cent of ships attempting to cross have done so without being hit by an Iranian projectile.

The Indian Express reports that five tankers have been hit since Friday, with the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) noting one was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade from a small boat. UKMTO has logged 135 incidents in the strait since the Iran-US conflict began. Additionally, Egypt's president has requested that parliament approve assistance for Riyadh.

Brief written by urgent.news from Middle East Eye, The Indian Express, Ajel English — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.