Tensions in the Arabian Peninsula intensified as Iran-backed Houthi militants claimed responsibility for a missile-and-drone strike on Saudi Arabia's Sharurah military base.
- Sharurah military base targeted by missile-and-drone strike.
- Projectile struck Al-Tuwal district in Jazan resulting in two injuries.
- Iranian merchant ship struck by unknown projectile in Strait of Hormuz.
Concurrently, Saudi Civil Defence confirmed that
a projectile struck the Al-Tuwal district in Jazan, resulting in two injuries and causing significant damage to a mosque and residential homes. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that the Sharurah operation targeted weapons depots and command centers associated with military actions against Yemen, though Riyadh has not confirmed damage to the base itself, noting only that
sirens were activated in the area.
Simultaneously,
an Iranian merchant ship was struck by an unknown projectile off Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz at approximately 5 a.m. local time. The incident, which occurred near Hengam, resulted in the death of one sailor, the evacuation of the crew, and a subsequent fire. The Qeshm governor attributed the strike to a terrorist enemy, while UK Maritime Trade Operations acknowledged the event. This maritime escalation follows recent Houthi seizures of Mokha port and Perim Island at the mouth of the Bab al-Mandeb, as well as
the shutdown of Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline following drone attacks launched from Iraq.
Diplomatic efforts remain strained ahead of scheduled talks in Oman this coming Monday regarding shipping corridors. Bahrain has declined to participate, while UAE heir apparent Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan recently met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in India. The Yemeni government reports that it has
conducted over 100 air strikes in the last 48 hours, contributing to the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians and the effective collapse of the 2022 truce. Market analysts warn of further volatility as regional infrastructure remains under consistent threat from ongoing drone and missile barrages.
