Tehran Talks End: Houthis Hit Six Saudi Sites

Saudi Arabia faces a renewed wave of attacks from Iran-backed Houthi forces. The group claims responsibility for six strikes on vital infrastructure across the kingdom. These targets include major airports and oil refineries. The attacks occurred despite high-level diplomatic meetings between Saudi and Iranian officials earlier in the week.

Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree detailed the targets in a statement posted on X. He said the group used ballistic missiles and drones. The Ras Tanura oil refinery took a ballistic missile. An Aramco facility in Abqaiq was hit by a missile. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh faced multiple missile impacts. A drone struck King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. The Rabigh oil refinery was also targeted by a ballistic missile. A Saudi military headquarters in the southern Najran region was the final target listed.

Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan met in Tehran on Monday. The gathering was hosted by Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei. Attendees included Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir, and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin. An Iranian press release stated the participants agreed to continue discussions to strengthen cooperation. The meeting focused on peace and security in the region.

The Saudi foreign ministry emphasized the need for negotiation channels. The ministry said these channels are important to prevent a return to military escalation. This diplomatic effort aimed to reduce cross-border fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces inside Yemen. The recent strikes show that combat operations have intensified despite these verbal agreements.

The Saudi-led coalition reported its air defenses intercepted two ballistic missiles aimed at the capital. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki confirmed the interceptions. Saudi Civil Defence reported that shrapnel from the explosions wounded one citizen in Riyadh. The debris also damaged a house and a vehicle in the area.

Warning alerts for incoming threats were issued in Riyadh and al-Kharj governorates. Alerts also went out for Najran city before the interceptions were announced. There is no independent corroboration for the Houthi claims of specific damage to the listed facilities.

Earlier on Thursday, the internationally recognized Yemeni government issued a statement. The group called on the UN Security Council to take deterrent and punitive measures. This request aimed to stop Houthi attacks on Aden International Airport.