U.S. pulls diplomats from Saudi Arabia as it reportedly readies Iran strikes after midterms

The United States has ordered non-emergency government employees and their family members to depart Saudi Arabia following an increase in Houthi attacks. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated on X that the order applies only to those in Saudi Arabia, denying reports that diplomatic families in Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, or the UAE were required to leave.

CNBC and CNBC World report that the withdrawal follows Houthi strikes on an oil field and an airport, which has raised concerns regarding a widening regional conflict.

According to The National Business, Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority reported an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam late Wednesday, resulting in one death and eight injuries. The Energy Ministry also reported that two people died earlier on Wednesday when air defenses intercepted a drone targeting the Shaybah oilfield operated by Saudi Aramco. Following the report of the airport attack, Brent crude oil prices rose above $110 a barrel.

The Times of India reports that the United States and Israel are preparing for possible military strikes against Iran following the upcoming midterm elections. This comes as Iran has announced plans to reveal a new weapon titled the Father of All Bombs. Additionally, the Times of India notes that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss military options.

Brief written by urgent.news from CNBC, CNBC World, Channel News Asia, The National Business, Times of India — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.