Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Houthi Missile Attack Opens New Front in Iran War
Saudi Arabia said Yemen’s Houthi rebels fired a missile toward Riyadh, but the missile was stopped.
People heard an explosion and saw smoke near the airport, but no one was reported hurt.
The Houthis said they also attacked important places and oil facilities, but they did not show proof.
Iran said it sent the United States ideas for ending the war through Qatar.
Iran wants fighting to stop everywhere, seized money to be released, and the naval blockade of its ports to end.
Israel said it attacked Hamas targets in Gaza and Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
Gaza officials said three men were killed in Israeli strikes.
The United States said oil was still passing through the Strait of Hormuz, although fewer ships were using it than before the war.
In Gaza, more than 280,000 children returned to school in tents or damaged classrooms.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh, with no reported casualties or damage.
The Houthis claimed attacks on sensitive sites in Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu, but provided no evidence and their claims were not independently verified.
Iran said it sent the United States conditions for ending the war through Qatar, including ending fighting on all fronts, releasing seized assets, and lifting the naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Israeli strikes killed three men in Gaza, while Israel reported strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon after two Israeli soldiers were wounded.
The United States said oil continued moving through the Strait of Hormuz, while monitors reported shipping remained below prewar levels; more than 280,000 children were attending school in damaged Gaza facilities.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia, Yemen’s Houthi movement, Iran, the United States, Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, Qatar, and civilians in the affected areas.
- What
- The Houthis reportedly launched a ballistic missile toward Riyadh as fighting expanded, while Iran proposed conditions for ending the war and violence continued in Gaza, Lebanon, and around the Strait of Hormuz.
- When
- Saturday; the reports did not provide a specific calendar date.
- Where
- Riyadh, Yanbu, Taif, and other areas of Saudi Arabia; Yemen; Iran; Gaza; southern Lebanon; the Strait of Hormuz; and Qatar.
- Why
- The developments occurred amid an escalation of regional fighting involving Iran, the Houthis, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
Saudi, U.S., and Israeli accounts
Houthi and Iranian accounts
Riyadh missile attack
Saudi, U.S., and Israeli accounts
Saudi Arabia said the missile was intercepted and that there were no casualties or damage. The United States could not independently verify the Houthi account.
Houthi and Iranian accounts
The Houthis claimed they struck sensitive sites in Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu, allegedly causing massive fires, but provided no evidence.
Conditions for ending the war
Saudi, U.S., and Israeli accounts
The United States had not publicly accepted Iran’s proposed conditions, and earlier U.S.-Iran negotiations had collapsed.
Houthi and Iranian accounts
Iran said it sent Washington conditions through Qatar, including ending fighting on all fronts, releasing seized assets, and lifting the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Shipping through Hormuz
Saudi, U.S., and Israeli accounts
The United States said it supported the passage of 1 billion barrels of oil and that primary transit lanes had been cleared of mines.
Houthi and Iranian accounts
Shipping monitors said traffic remained well below prewar levels, while Iran continued attacking ships and asserting control over the waterway.
- Riyadh missile
- Saudi Arabia said a Houthi ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh was intercepted early Saturday.
- Reported impact
- Residents reported an explosion and smoke near the airport, but authorities reported no casualties or damage.
- Houthi claim
- The Houthis claimed they targeted sensitive sites in Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu, allegedly causing massive fires; the claim was not independently verified.
- Iranian conditions
- Iran said it wants fighting on all fronts to end, seized assets released, and the United States naval blockade of Iranian ports lifted.
- Iran execution
- Iranian state television said Hossein Pedram was executed after being convicted of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad.
- Strait of Hormuz
- The United States said 1 billion barrels of oil transited the strait over two months, while monitors said traffic remained below prewar levels.
- Gaza education
- The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees said more than 280,000 children were attending school in tents or heavily damaged classrooms.
