Houthis strike Aden and Saudi cities as US‑Iran tensions flare

Houthi rebels launched missiles at the Yemeni port of Aden on Oct 24, saying they hit the Al‑Nasr camp and a nearby naval installation. Yemen’s government confirmed the strike but gave no casualty numbers. Saudi Arabia’s civil defence said fragments from two intercepted ballistic missiles landed in Mecca and Jeddah, and that additional missiles aimed at Taif, Yanbu and Riyadh were also shot down. The rebels claimed responsibility for attacks on seven sites across Saudi Arabia. The US embassy in Riyadh issued a Level 3 travel advisory after the incidents. Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton warned in a memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Iran has stepped up attempts to target US personnel, and the United States has reduced staff at its Saudi mission. In a separate development, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei met Iran’s judiciary chief Hujjat al‑Islam Mohseni Ejei and reaffirmed Tehran’s intent to seek compensation from the United States and Israel for war damage. Iran also said it would consider reopening the Strait of Hormuz if Washington lifts its naval blockade, according to Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam. Tehran will review the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement that includes Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey before deciding on support. President Masoud Pezeshkian warned many Iranians are struggling to afford food amid the ongoing conflict.

Context

These attacks are part of a proxy war where Iran‑backed Houthis target Saudi interests, while diplomatic talks over the Strait of Hormuz and compensation claims reflect the broader US‑Iran rivalry.