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Iran-backed Houthis claim missile attack on Saudi Arabia

July 25, 2026

The Iran-backed Houthis launched a missile attack on the Saudi city of Jizan, causing fires, in retaliation for Saudi airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen's Hodeida port city and a nearby island. This escalation occurred during a temporary pause in the broader US-Iran conflict, which had seen 13 consecutive nights of American strikes on Iran and Iranian drone attacks on US facilities across the Middle East. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continued with an Omani delegation visiting Tehran and President Trump indicating negotiations were ongoing while maintaining threats of military action.

Who is affected

  • Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen
  • Saudi Arabia, specifically residents of Jizan province
  • The United States military and its facilities across the Middle East
  • Iran and its government
  • Oman (diplomatic intermediary)
  • Commercial shipping vessels and crews attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea
  • Oil markets and consumers globally
  • Israel (Prime Minister Netanyahu scheduled to meet with US president)
  • The United Kingdom (co-hosting upcoming conference)

What action is being taken

  • The Houthis are conducting missile strikes on Saudi Arabia
  • The US military is enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports and disabling ships attempting to evade it
  • An Omani delegation is conducting talks in Tehran regarding the Strait of Hormuz
  • Negotiations between the US and Iran are continuing
  • The US and UK are preparing to hold a conference in London next week on the Strait of Hormuz

Why it matters

  • This represents a dangerous expansion of the US-Iran conflict into a broader regional war involving multiple parties. The attacks threaten critical global shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, which has already pushed oil prices above $100 per barrel and could severely disrupt international energy markets. The involvement of Saudi Arabia and the Houthis adds another volatile dimension to an already fragile situation, while the collapse of a recently signed ceasefire agreement demonstrates the difficulty of achieving diplomatic solutions. The upcoming meetings between US and UK officials, as well as between Netanyahu and Trump, could prove pivotal in determining whether the conflict escalates further or moves toward de-escalation.

What's next

  • The US and UK will hold a conference in London next week to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine attending
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet the US president at the White House on Tuesday

Read full article from source: BBC

Iran-backed Houthis claim missile attack on Saudi Arabia