Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Gulf Talks Delayed as Houthis Strike Saudi Arabia
The Houthis, a fighting group in Yemen aligned with Iran, said they attacked a Saudi military base with missiles and drones.
They said the attack was retaliation for Saudi airstrikes in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia sent emergency warnings to four southern cities.
Fighting has also damaged a major Saudi oil pipeline.
This made oil prices rise because the pipeline carries oil to markets.
Gulf countries postponed a meeting with Iran about reopening an important shipping route called the Strait of Hormuz.
The Houthis have captured territory, including Perim Island near the Red Sea.
Many Yemenis have fled their homes because of the fighting.
Donald Trump said Iran wants a deal, but the United States is deciding whether to get involved.
Gulf states postponed an Oman-hosted meeting with Iran on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The Houthis said they launched dozens of missiles and drones at a Saudi military airbase in Khamis Mushait.
Saudi Arabia issued emergency alerts in Khamis Mushait and three other southern cities previously targeted by Houthi fire.
A separate attack damaged Saudi Arabia’s east-west oil pipeline, while crude prices rose more than 3% in one report and more than 4% in another.
President Donald Trump said Iran wants a deal as renewed Yemen fighting displaced civilians and increased pressure on Washington.
- Who
- The Houthis, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Gulf states, Oman, the United States, and President Donald Trump are the main actors.
- What
- The Houthis reported a missile-and-drone attack on Saudi Arabia, while Gulf states postponed talks with Iran and Trump said Iran wanted a deal.
- When
- The developments were reported on Monday, September 14; the Houthis captured Perim Island on the preceding Friday.
- Where
- The reported attack targeted an airbase in Khamis Mushait, southern Saudi Arabia; related fighting has spread across Yemen and the Red Sea region.
- Why
- The Houthis described the attack as retaliation for Saudi airstrikes in Yemen, while the postponed meeting concerned negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Houthi and Iranian Claims
Saudi and U.S. Concerns
Reason for the Saudi attack
Houthi and Iranian Claims
The Houthis said the missile and drone attack was retaliation for hundreds of recent Saudi airstrikes in Yemen.
Saudi and U.S. Concerns
Saudi Arabia has led a coalition fighting the Houthis, and Saudi authorities responded to the reported attack with emergency alerts.
Postponed Iran-Gulf meeting
Houthi and Iranian Claims
Iran said the Oman-hosted meeting was postponed at Saudi Arabia’s request.
Saudi and U.S. Concerns
Oman said the meeting was postponed in the interests of consensus, without publicly assigning responsibility.
Possible U.S. intervention
Houthi and Iranian Claims
The Houthis reportedly urged Washington to stay out of the conflict, while Trump said Iran wanted a deal.
Saudi and U.S. Concerns
Saudi Arabia has sought U.S. help, but Washington has reportedly resisted direct military intervention beyond intelligence support while trying to avoid widening the war.
- Reported attack
- The Houthis said they fired dozens of missiles and drones at a Saudi military airbase in Khamis Mushait.
- Saudi response
- Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts in Khamis Mushait and three other southern cities.
- Diplomatic meeting
- Oman postponed a planned meeting between Iran and Gulf states on reopening the Strait of Hormuz; Iran said Saudi Arabia requested the postponement.
- Pipeline damage
- A separate attack damaged Saudi Arabia’s east-west oil pipeline, a route for exporting oil around the Strait of Hormuz.
- Oil-market reaction
- Crude prices rose by more than 3% in one Reuters version and more than 4% in another after markets reopened.
- Shipping warnings
- Iran listed 77 ships it said violated its operating protocols in the Strait of Hormuz and warned of possible fines, detention, or confiscation.
- Displacement
- The International Organization for Migration estimated that 82,000 Yemenis had fled fighting since the start of the month.