Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks by the Iran-aligned group deepen regional tensions.
This concludes AnewZ’s live coverage of the latest developments across the Middle East for today.
Thank you for following. Stay with AnewZ for the latest breaking news, analysis and live coverage as events continue to unfold.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States was “hopefully toward the end” of its war with Iran.
Trump also said Iran was eager to reach a deal and, when asked whether he had recently heard from Tehran, said he had spoken with the Iranian side “directly”.
An Israeli court sentenced Alexander Granovsky to 13 and a half years in prison after convicting him of carrying out tasks for an Iranian operative in exchange for money, according to Israeli media.
Granovsky was convicted of photographing power facilities and the neighbourhood where opposition politician Benny Gantz lives, as well as setting fire to nine vehicles and spraying graffiti.
He was arrested in 2024 and allegedly received thousands of dollars through a digital wallet for the assignments.
The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned the Houthi group’s attempted attack targeting Mecca, according to a statement from the UAE Foreign Ministry.
Abu Dhabi expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia following the attempted attack.
The United States reiterated its support for Yemen’s internationally recognised government following talks between U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Jonathan Hop and Foreign Minister Afrah Al-Zouba.
The U.S. Embassy said Washington stood in solidarity with the Yemeni government and its people against what it described as “Iran-backed Houthi aggression”.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for de-escalation across the Middle East, saying actions harming civilians must stop and humanitarian operations must be allowed to proceed safely.
Guterres also called for navigational rights and freedoms to be fully restored and respected, saying diplomacy and dialogue were the “only path forward”.
Somalia strongly condemned the attempted drone attack targeting Mecca and recent attacks on civilian areas in Saudi Arabia.
The Foreign Ministry expressed “full solidarity” with Saudi Arabia and affirmed the kingdom’s right to protect its territory, population and Islamic holy sites.
At least nine children have been killed and more than 104,000 people displaced in Yemen over the past two weeks of renewed fighting, according to UNICEF. The displaced include around 57,000 children.
The UN agency said the escalation has disrupted services at 26 UNICEF-supported health facilities, while 243 schools have closed or suspended classes, affecting more than 137,000 students.
UNICEF warned that the renewed hostilities were deepening Yemen’s already severe humanitarian crisis.
U.S. diplomats met Houthi representatives at the U.S. Embassy in Oman over the weekend to discuss tensions in the Red Sea, Axios reported.
Further details on the talks or any potential agreements were not immediately available.
The U.S. Treasury said its Financial Crimes Enforcement Network convened global financial institutions on Wednesday as part of efforts to further isolate Iran financially.
The meeting focused on identifying and disrupting revenue streams and procurement networks linked to Tehran under the Treasury’s recently launched Operation Economic Outcast.
Washington says the initiative aims to restrict Iran’s ability to finance its military operations in the Middle East.
Türkiye strongly condemned an attempted Houthi drone attack targeting Mecca, calling for an immediate end to attacks threatening regional security and stability.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security, while the presidency said preserving the peace and security of Mecca was of particular importance to the Islamic world.
Ankara also expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia following the attempted attack.
The U.S. House of Representatives is set to end its legislative week on Wednesday, cancelling votes previously scheduled for Thursday as lawmakers prepare to leave Washington until after the November 3 midterm elections.
The schedule change comes a day after Republican Representative Thomas Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, including allegations related to U.S. military operations against Iran.
Democratic Representative Melanie Stansbury accused Republican leaders of ending the session early to avoid a potential impeachment vote. Republican leaders have not said the schedule change was linked to Massie’s resolution.
Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci and his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni discussed counterterrorism, cross-border security, organised crime and irregular migration during talks in Ankara on Wednesday.
The ministers focused on the disarmament of the PKK and its affiliates, including PJAK in Iran, with Momeni calling for Türkiye, Iran, Iraq and Syria to cooperate towards a lasting regional solution.
They also discussed stronger cooperation on extraditions, drug trafficking, migrant smuggling and information-sharing between their security services.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said lasting peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without a two-state solution. Speaking ahead of the 81st UN General Assembly, he highlighted the continuing suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Guterres called for the Gaza peace plan to be fully implemented and for humanitarian aid to enter without restrictions. He also said what he described as the “creeping annexation” of the West Bank must end. The UN chief stressed that a political settlement based on two states remains the path he supports for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The position is consistent with his earlier calls for Israel and an independent Palestinian state to live side by side in peace and security.
Iran has rejected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s accusations over Tehran’s nuclear programme and its ties with regional armed groups. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei accused Berlin of presenting what he called a “knowingly distorted” account of Iran’s policies.
Merz had urged Tehran to halt what he described as destabilising regional activities, end support for proxy groups and stop its military nuclear programme. Baghaei said Iran’s regional allies are independent actors rather than proxies and reiterated Tehran’s position that its nuclear programme is not military in nature.
Iran has continued to describe its nuclear activities as peaceful, while Western governments have raised concerns over its enrichment programme and cooperation with international inspectors. The exchange comes amid wider tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and the regional conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
Iran is prepared to defend itself against aggressors but welcomes diplomatic solutions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Chinese counterpart, according to Iranian state media.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi discussed recent developments and ongoing negotiations in a phone call, according to a Turkish diplomatic source.
Russian spy satellites likely provided Iran with intelligence on the locations and movements of U.S. military assets in the Middle East, CNN reported, citing U.S. officials and other sources.
The report focused on a March 27 Iranian strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, where 12 U.S. personnel were reportedly injured and an AWACS aircraft was destroyed.
CNN said Russia’s Cosmos 2573 spy satellite passed over the base two days before the attack, alongside 13 other Russian satellites. Its analysis suggested the satellites could have collected complementary intelligence, including imagery, radar and radio signals, heat signatures and changes detected through clouds or darkness.
Yemen's Houthis said they attacked Aramco facilities in Yanbu and an air base in Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia.
U.S. officials met representatives of Yemen’s Houthis in Oman over the weekend, five sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, days after the Iran-backed group seized a strategic stretch of the Red Sea coast in an offensive that routed Saudi-backed forces.
The meeting was held at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat, with Oman helping to organise the talks, according to sources. The Houthis told U.S. officials they had no intention of attacking American vessels and remained committed to their 2025 ceasefire with Washington.
One source said the group also pledged not to attack Israeli or commercial vessels, except those belonging to Saudi Arabia.
China has called for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened as soon as possible, according to remarks by Foreign Minister Wang Yi cited in the Reuters report you provided. Wang made the comments during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart in Beijing.
He urged Iran and the United States to exercise restraint, remain rational and return to consultations under the Islamabad memorandum. Wang also warned against regional tensions spreading further into Yemen and the Red Sea.
He said Beijing’s policy toward Iran remains consistent and that China is prepared to strengthen communication and coordination with Tehran. China also called on all parties to take practical steps to restore navigation through the strategic waterway.
Georgia says it will comply with U.S. sanctions on Iranian airlines, prompting a diplomatic response from Tehran.
Iran’s ambassador to Georgia, Seyed Ali Mojani, said Tehran respected Tbilisi’s decision but was free to respond, while Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said disagreements should be handled through direct diplomatic channels.
The move comes as Georgia faces growing scrutiny in Washington over its relations with Iran, Russia and China.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington was pursuing what he called the “greatest economic isolation campaign” against Iran, as he warned that the pressure was taking a growing toll on the country's economy.
Speaking to the House Financial Services Committee, Bessent said Iran's economy was in “dire straits”, citing a falling currency, high inflation and fuel shortages.
He attributed the pressure to U.S. sanctions, a blockade and the Treasury's Operation Economic Outcast, launched in August to target financial networks helping Iran sell oil and evade sanctions.
Bessent also warned that the U.S. would intensify enforcement against entities facilitating Iranian trade, saying measures would “start biting” on 23 September and be fully enforced.
He said Washington was also working with the UAE and China to restrict financial channels linked to Iran.
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed Israel’s ongoing attacks on southern Lebanon and alleged ceasefire violations during a phone call on Tuesday.
Berri called for action to halt the attacks, warning of “dangerous consequences” if regional and international actors failed to respond, according to his office.
The two also discussed regional security and cooperation between Iran and Arab and Muslim countries.
Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to four on Tuesday, down from seven the previous day and well below the 10-day average of 18, preliminary shipping data showed.
Two vessels were entering the waterway and two were exiting. No very large crude carriers or liquefied natural gas tankers were recorded among the transits.
Some vessels may be passing through the strait with their transponders switched off and would therefore not appear in the data.
The United States has raised its travel advisory for Saudi Arabia to Level 3, urging citizens to reconsider travel because of the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
The State Department warned of risks including Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting U.S. interests, armed conflict, terrorism, exit bans and restrictions under local laws, including those relating to social media activity.
It said some areas of Saudi Arabia faced heightened risks.
A Level 4 “do not travel” advisory remains in place for neighbouring Yemen.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned what it described as “heinous attacks” by the Houthis on the holy city of Mecca and the Medina region.
In a statement, the OIC said the attacks were intended to “terrorise civilians, violate the sanctity of holy sites and mosques, and provoke the feelings of Muslims around the world”.
It said attacks on holy sites, mosques and civilian infrastructure constituted terrorism and violated Islamic values and international law.
The OIC expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and backed measures taken by the kingdom to protect holy sites, civilians, security and sovereignty.
Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks by the Iran-aligned group deepen regional tensions.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage.
Follow us for the latest updates from the Middle East conflict.
Russia says no plague cases have been detected among contacts of a laboratory worker who died in Siberia, with most tests negative for infectious d...
Space-agency chiefs and industry leaders met to discuss lunar exploration, satellite networks and orbital security on Tuesday as a major global spa...
Police fired tear gas at protesters blockading French high schools on Tuesday as students, teachers and parents to...
Australian counterterrorism authorities are examining the links of the co-pilot accused of attacking the captain and attempting to take control of a flydubai flight bound for Israel. Authorities in New Zealand have also said they are investigating reports the suspect had spent time in that country.
Right-wing Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro will face leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a runoff of the presidential election later this month, after he exceeded expectations in Sunday's first-round vote with a slight lead over the incumbent.
Russia says no plague cases have been detected among contacts of a laboratory worker who died in Siberia, with most tests negative for infectious diseases and many quarantined people already released.
Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has resigned, with Hamid Bovard, chief executive of the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), appointed as acting oil minister, according to Iranian state media.
Candidates elected to Bosnia and Herzegovina's three-member presidency declared victory after preliminary unofficial results showed Denis Becirovic leading the Bosniak seat, Darijana Filipovic ahead in the Croat seat and Zeljka Cvijanovic likely retaining the Serb seat.
The leader of Yemen's Saudi-backed government announced the beginning of a major military operation against the Iran-backed Houthis on Sunday, aimed at seizing the territory under their control.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States meets seven conditions agreed under a June memorandum, as President Donald Trump signals he may soon decide whether to resume military operations against Tehran.
Governments from the Persian Gulf to the Horn of Africa are hedging against a conflict they cannot control, with contingency plans beginning to reshape trade routes, alliances and the regional map.
A supertanker which was cruising through the Strait of Hormuz was targetted by an unknown projectile off the coast of Oman, according to an Iranian news agency which said the vessel was “violating” navigation rules at the Strait of Hormuz on 1 October.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused the U.S. and Israel of seeking to foment internal divisions in Iran after failing to defeat the country militarily, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment