Trump accuses Iran of staging Hormuz attacks to push up oil prices before midterms
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Iran is fabricating attacks in the Strait of Hormuz to drive up oil prices ahead of the US midterm elections. He repeated his line that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, a phrase he says he has used throughout months of war. According to media reports, Iran's Revolutionary Guard threatened to target US bases in the region if the US military keeps escorting ships through the strait, and RT reported that Trump also accused Iran of laying mines there.
Why it matters A large share of Gulf oil exports passes through the Strait of Hormuz, so tension there can affect energy prices and shipping. The exchange of accusations and threats between Washington and Tehran adds uncertainty to oil markets and raises the risk of escalation in the region.
Houthis say they targeted Saudi defense ministry as coalition reports intercepting drones and missile
The Houthi group (Ansar Allah) said it targeted the Saudi Defense Ministry, while the coalition said it intercepted drones and a ballistic missile. Reuters, citing sources, reported that Aramco ordered the evacuation of its headquarters in Dhahran. Four people were killed in two incidents targeting Dammam airport and the Shaybah oil field, as diplomatic efforts continue to contain the escalation.
UAE condemns Houthi attack on King Fahd International Airport that killed two
The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned an attack by the Houthi group on King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia, which left two people dead and a number of civilians injured. According to RT Arabic, the Houthis announced four operations targeting the Defense Ministry in Riyadh, King Fahd and Abha airports, and Aramco in Yanbu.
