Houthis claim six strikes on Saudi infrastructure after Tehran talks

Yahya Saree, a spokesperson for the Iran-backed Houthi movement, announced on Thursday that his forces conducted six attacks on commercial and military sites in Saudi Arabia. The strikes targeted infrastructure on the eastern and western coasts, in Riyadh, and in the southern Najran region. Saree stated the group used ballistic missiles, drones, and other projectiles to hit these specific locations. No independent verification confirmed the damage claimed by the Houthis.

The offensive followed a diplomatic meeting earlier this week in Tehran. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan sent senior officials to the talks. Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei hosted the session. Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir, and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin attended. An Iranian press release noted that participants agreed to continue discussions to strengthen cooperation among the four regional countries.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry emphasized the need to open negotiation channels to prevent a return to military escalation. The statement came after the four nations concluded their talks on Monday. The meeting focused on peace and security in the region. Despite the positive tone of the diplomacy, Houthi forces continued to launch missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia and Saudi-backed forces inside Yemen.

Saree detailed the targets in a statement posted on X. The group claimed a ballistic missile hit the Ras Tanura oil refinery. A missile struck an Aramco facility in Abqaiq. Multiple missiles targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. A drone hit King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. Another ballistic missile targeted the Rabigh oil refinery. The final strike aimed at a Saudi military headquarters in the Najran region.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that its air defenses intercepted two ballistic missiles fired toward the capital. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki confirmed the destruction of the projectiles. Warning alerts for incoming threats had been issued in Riyadh and al-Kharj governorates, as well as in Najran city, before the interceptions were confirmed.

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence reported that shrapnel from the interceptions wounded one citizen in Riyadh. Debris also damaged a house and a vehicle, according to the agency’s spokesperson. The internationally recognized Yemeni government issued a separate statement earlier on Thursday. It called on the UN Security Council to take deterrent and punitive measures to stop Houthi attacks on Aden International Airport.