Middle East war: US prepares fresh strikes on Iran; Houthi missile targets Riyadh; Tankers hit mines near Hormuz

President Donald Trump maintained on Monday that military action against Iran remains a viable option, warning Tehran of severe consequences for pursuing nuclear capabilities while simultaneously leaving the door open for diplomatic resolution. This stance comes as tensions escalate across the Middle East, with Yemen’s Houthi militia claiming responsibility for strikes on Saudi infrastructure and Iranian officials vowing to alter the management of the Strait of Hormuz following the current conflict. In parallel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued warnings that Iran and its allied groups might attempt attacks to disrupt Israel’s upcoming legislative elections scheduled for Tuesday. The situation in the region has grown increasingly volatile over the past week. On Saturday, October 24, Saudi civil defense agencies reported that debris from two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi militia fell in western parts of the kingdom. Emergency teams responded to incidents in the Mecca and Medina regions, specifically noting debris landing in Wadi Al Mughammas in Mecca. The Houthis claimed credit for targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh in two distinct phases, along with airports in Dammam and Najran. Military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that the group also targeted the southern Khamis Mushait air base, crude oil pumping stations, and the main crude oil pipeline running from east to west. Diplomatic efforts continue amidst the hostilities. Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud led a delegation to Tehran on Monday for meetings involving parties to the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. According to Saudi diplomat Rayed Krimly, the discussions included Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Ibrahim Kalin, director of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organisation. Representatives from the agreement’s member nations met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. These talks are part of ongoing regional initiatives aimed at stabilizing the area. Iran’s position regarding the Strait of Hormuz remains central to the standoff. Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam, speaking in Islamabad, indicated that Tehran remains open to talks with the United States under a Pakistan-brokered interim deal reached in June. That agreement sought to restore shipping through the strait, lift the US naval blockade, and initiate negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. Moghadam stated that Iran had conveyed its readiness to reopen the strait if Washington lifted its naval blockade. However, he accused President Trump of rejecting this proposal by insisting that the blockade of Iranian ports would continue. The ambassador added that Tehran would study the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, which includes Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, before deciding whether to support it, describing it as a potential instrument for unity. Economic pressures are mounting within Iran. President Pezeshkian acknowledged on Saturday that many Iranians are struggling to secure basic food supplies as the economic impact of the war intensifies. Washington has recently shifted focus from direct military operations to increased economic pressure. Iranian leaders maintain that peace negotiations will only succeed if Washington removes such pressure and threats, asserting that the conflict is currently locked in a stalemate. In Israel, domestic politics intersect with the external threat. Defense Minister Israel Katz denied reports of a rift between Prime Minister Netanyahu and army chief Eyal Zamir regarding fresh actions in the war with Iran. Channel 12 had reported on Sunday, citing unnamed sources, that a confrontation occurred over an unspecified new directive. Zamir reportedly demanded a detailed discussion and legal guarantees from political leadership before executing orders. Sources suggested concerns existed within the army that the war might be exploited for political gain. Katz described these reports as entirely baseless and insisted on complete coordination between the political echelon and the military. He stated unequivocally that there was no intention to initiate an attack on Iran prior to the elections. Prime Minister Netanyahu dismissed the reports as rubbish during a television appearance. Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the timing, accusing Netanyahu of seeking to delay the vote by provoking an escalation. Lapid argued that the prime minister wanted to start a confrontation with Iran solely to postpone the elections. Netanyahu has campaigned heavily on his security credentials, contending that only he can conclude the US-Israeli war against Iran. Iran’s Foreign Ministry downplayed the significance of the Israeli election results. Spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stated in a weekly press briefing that the outcome would make no difference to Tehran. He characterized the incoming government, regardless of who wins, as a regime responsible for bringing violence and massacres to the region. Shipping safety remains a critical concern. Reports indicate that two supertankers struck mines near the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, the US Embassy in Baghdad issued a warning that its capacity to provide emergency services to American citizens in Iraq is limited due to security risks. The highest-level travel advisory remains in effect amid fears of escalating attacks by the Houthi movement. Regional leaders continue to call for de-escalation while authorities monitor threats to shipping lanes, security infrastructure, and vital energy assets. The coming days will see continued monitoring of the strait and potential further diplomatic engagements between the involved nations.