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The United Nations Security Council has condemned the "escalatory" attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia, including "reckless strikes" on Riyadh's airport. The Saudi capital's international airport has been targeted by strikes 20 times since the beginning of October, with an attack last weekend killing 13 people and wounding more than 300. In a joint statement shared by the Security Council's president, Greece's Evangelos Sekeris, the 15-member UN body also condemned "continued Houthi attacks and threats against commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab (Strait)." The statement affirmed the inherent right of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of self-defense in accordance with international law. The attacks on Saudi infrastructure have intensified in recent weeks, with Houthi forces launching multiple strikes on civilian and economic targets. Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji stated that these attacks constitute "full-fledged war crimes." The Houthi group has claimed responsibility for an attack on the government headquarters in Aden, with their armed forces spokesperson describing the building as housing a "Saudi war operations room." At least five people were killed in Houthi missile strikes near the al-Maashiq presidential palace in Aden on Thursday, though the prime minister and other officials remained safe. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department has warned Lebanese authorities not to return half a ton of explosives seized from the country to the Hezbollah group. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that it was "out of the question" to hand back the explosives, urging Lebanese President Michel Aoun to hold accountable those who ordered, funded, and directed the delivery. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as an "ecocide," or environmental genocide, during a speech in Armenia ahead of the COP17 biodiversity conference. He argued that environmental damage does not respect political borders and called for international solutions to address the crisis. The U.S. has also imposed new sanctions on 16 individuals and 10 entities linked to Iran, according to a notice posted on the U.S. Treasury Department’s website. These measures come amid reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump is considering new strikes on Iran without using nuclear weapons or deploying ground troops. In addition to the conflict in Yemen, tensions have flared in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian olive harvesters, setting fire to their vehicles. Separately, an Israeli settlement group announced plans to establish a new settlement near Gaza City, requesting immediate authorization from the Israeli government to relocate it to the northern part of the territory. The threat to merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz remains "severe," according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations center, which warns that further attacks in the waterway are "highly likely" under current conditions. Meanwhile, preparations for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia continue despite the escalation of Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Iraq’s parliament has approved Laith al-Khazali, a senior figure from the Iran-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq movement, as a deputy prime minister. This move underscores the growing influence of Iranian-aligned groups in the region.