Trump rules out striking Iran before midterms, calls talks with Tehran productive
President Donald Trump said he does not plan to attack Iran before the midterm elections and described the ongoing talks with Tehran as productive. Washington also imposed sanctions on 17 vessels carrying Iranian oil. An Iranian official did not rule out a preemptive strike on Israel, as efforts continue to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Why it matters A large share of Gulf oil exports passes through the Strait of Hormuz, so any progress toward reopening it directly affects regional energy security and shipping. Washington is pairing negotiations with sanctions pressure, while the Iranian warning of a possible preemptive strike keeps the risk of escalation alive.
Egypt condemns attacks on Abha and King Khalid airports in Saudi Arabia
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke by phone on Thursday with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, to discuss regional developments and the attacks that targeted Abha and King Khalid airports in Saudi Arabia. Cairo expressed strong condemnation of the attacks. Al-Azhar also condemned them, and RT Arabic reported that they caused deaths and injuries among civilians.
Missile debris damages kindergarten and clinic complex in Riyadh as Houthis claim airport strikes
Saudi authorities said on Thursday that debris from a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis, and intercepted by air defenses over Riyadh, damaged a kindergarten and a medical clinic complex. The group, also known as Ansar Allah, said it targeted King Khalid International Airport twice within hours, and reports spoke of damaged aircraft. Riyadh has not confirmed the damage the group says it caused at the airport.
