The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi “bomb-laden UAV” bound for Abha International Airport.

Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson confirmed that Iran-Saudi “talks focused on both bilateral and regional issues”, adding: “It is definitely in the interest of both countries and the region to de-escalate tensions. We hope to reach a meaningful understanding of bilateral relations and regional developments by changing the atmosphere… We will do our best in this regard”. He also “welcome[d] any initiative to finally resolve the Yemeni crisis”. The following day, a government spokesperson indicated that “in order to resolve the issues and misunderstandings around the crisis of Yemen and Syria, two rounds of negotiations have been held… at the level of special representatives”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi “explosive-laden drone” bound for Khamis Mushait. A Huthi military spokesperson said that they had successfully targeted King Khalid airbase with a drone.

A senior Saudi official confirmed discussions with Tehran, which he indicated “aim to explore ways to reduce tensions in the region”. “We hope they prove successful, but it is too early, and premature, to reach any definitive conclusions. Our evaluation will be based on verifiable deeds, and not proclamations”, he added. In related comments the previous day, a senior U.S. official alluded to “great discussions between Iran and some of their neighbours, and that’s something that the U.S., of course, welcomes”. The official also posited that “there needs to be those discussions… in terms of de-escalating the situation in the region and enhancing regional security, which does mean seeing changes in Iranian policy”.

During a visit to Saudi Arabia, Oman and Jordan, U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Linderking emphasised the need for “a comprehensive, nationwide ceasefire and move to inclusive political talks” in Yemen. The U.S. State Department asserted that “there is a fair deal on the table that will bring immediate relief to Yemeni people. The Huthis passed up a major opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to peace and to make progress on this proposal by refusing to meet with UN Special Envoy Griffiths in Muscat—especially given the Republic of Yemen Government’s stated readiness to reach an agreement to end the conflict”.

Iraqi President Barham Salih confirmed that Baghdad had hosted talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia “more than once”. “It is ongoing, and it is important and it is significant, and for Iraq to be able to play that convening role between these regional actors is important”, he added.

Asked about reports of talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken posited that “if they’re talking, I think that’s generally a good thing… Does it lead to results? That’s another question. But talking, trying to take down tensions, trying to see if there’s a modus vivendi, trying to get countries to take actions on things they’re doing that you don’t like – that’s good, that’s positive”. “We have… when we’re acting at our best, a greater ability than any other country to mobilise others in positive, collective action”, Blinken added. “But if countries are talking directly together without us in the middle, that’s maybe even better”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing “a ballistic missile and two explosive drones” bound for Najran. A Huthi military spokesperson indicated that they had hit Najran Airport and King Khalid airbase with four drones and two ballistic missiles.

The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting a Huthi “explosive drone” bound for Khamis Mushait. A Huthi military spokesperson said that they had targeted King Khalid airbase with a drone.

The Saudi defence ministry reported downing a “hostile air target” bound for Jeddah.

Meeting with the Kuwaiti prime minister after visits to Qatar, Iraq and Oman, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif remarked that “his tour of the region at a time when Vienna negotiations are underway indicates Iran’s special attention to regional issues and relations with neighbouring countries”. He also called for efforts to “further promote multilateral cooperation among regional countries”. “It is necessary that regional states rely on their own potential to secure constructive cooperation that would lead to further stability”, Zarif told his Kuwaiti counterpart.

A Huthi military spokesperson reported that they had successfully targeted King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait with a drone.

Referring to the Abraham Accords, CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie opined that “in the long term, particularly vis-a-vis Iran, a common or collective security approach is going to be the best way to ensure their malign activities don’t become terribly harmful in the region”, adding: “What you would like to see is, particularly the nations in the Gulf states, be able to share a common threat picture against Iran. And the threat from Iran is not a ground maneuver. It’s not maritime particularly. It's a fires thing, it’s missiles, it’s ballistic missiles, it’s land attack cruise missiles which fly low and its UASs”. “In the case of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two nations that are directly across the Gulf from the threat that is Iran. There are things we can do and will continue to do to improve their ability to defend themselves, particularly in the missile and air defense domain”, McKenzie noted.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman remarked that “all what we ask for is to have a good and distinguished relationship with Iran… we want it [ie, Iran] to prosper and grow as we have Saudi interests in Iran, and they have Iranian interests in Saudi Arabia, which is to drive prosperity and growth”. He added: “The problem that we have lies with certain negative behaviours they have, whether in terms of their nuclear program, their support of illegal militias… or their ballistic missile program. We are working now without partners in the region and the world to find solutions for these problems”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson subsequently noted that “with constructive views and a dialogue-oriented approach, Iran and Saudi Arabia… can enter a new chapter of interaction and cooperation to achieve peace, stability and regional development by overcoming differences”.

The Saudi defence ministry confirmed that naval forces had intercepted “a bomb-laden unmanned surface vehicle (USV)” in the Red Sea. 

U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley reported a “good discussion… with our GCC partners regarding the status of JCPOA talks and regional security” as nuclear negotiations resumed in Vienna. The same day, senior Israeli and U.S. national security officials convened for discussions in Washington, and per a White House readout “discussed their serious concerns about advancements in Iran’s nuclear program in recent years”; the two sides also “agreed on the significant threat posed by Iran’s aggressive behavior in the region”, with the U.S. side expressing “President Biden’s unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself”. They also formed “an inter-agency working group to focus particular attention on the growing threat of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Precision Guided Missiles produced by Iran and provided to its proxies”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing “a Huthi explosive drone” bound for Saudi Arabia. A Huthi military spokesperson claimed that they had targeted King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait with a drone.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing three Huthi “bomb-laden drones” bound for Jizan and Khamis Mushait. A military Huthi spokesperson said that they had struck “important and sensitive locations at King Khalid air base… [and an] Aramco facility in Jizan” with drones.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi drone bound for Khamis Mushait. A military Huthis spokesperson claimed that they had hit “a military site” at King Khalid airbase.

The Saudi cabinet urged “Iran to engage in the ongoing [JCPOA] negotiations, avoid escalation and not expose the region’s security and stability to more tension”. It further emphasised “the need for the international community to reach an agreement with stronger and longer elements, while implementing monitoring and control measures, to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and from developing the necessary capabilities for that”.

U.S. CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie remarked that “Iran provides weapons, parts and expertise to Huthi forces in Yemen for the purpose of attacking Saudi Arabia. Since January 2021, Iranian-aided Huthi forces have launched more than 150 ballistic missile, LACM [Land-Attack Cruise Missiles] and one-way UAS attacks against military, infrastructure and civilian targets in Saudi Arabia. These attacks have varied in scope and complexity, with UAS detection and interdiction particularly challenging not just for Saudi forces, but also for U.S. and Coalition forces supporting Saudi Arabia’s defence”. McKenzie added that “these small- and medium-sized UAS proliferating across the AOR present a new and complex threat to our forces and those of our partners and allies. For the first time since the Korean War, we are operating without complete air superiority”. He went on to emphasise that “U.S. assistance to the Kingdom focuses on providing information to Saudi Arabia’s armed forces to assist them in thwarting Huthi UAV, ballistic missile, and explosive boat attacks that contravene international law and undermine diplomatic efforts”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi “explosive-laden drone” bound for Khamis Mushait. A military Huthi spokesperson claimed that they had hit an “important military site” at Abha International Airport with a drone.

Commenting on media reports of Iran-Saudi talks in Baghdad, Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson noted “conflicting quotes”, adding: “Iran has always welcomed dialogue with the Saudi kingdom and considered it in the interest of the peoples of the two countries as well as regional peace and stability. [Iran] will continue to think this way”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi “bomb-laden drone” bound for Saudi Arabia inside Yemeni territory. A military Huthi spokesperson claimed that they had hit “a sensitive military site at King Khalid Air Base” with a drone.

The Saudi-led coalition announced downing a Huthi ballistic missile bound for Jizan.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing “four bomb-laden UAVs and five ballistic missiles” launched by the Huthis towards Jizan; debris “caused a restricted fire that was contained without any losses to civilian life” at Jizan University. A military Huthi spokesperson claimed that they had successfully targeted an Aramco facility and military sites. The U.S. State Department denounced “the Huthi complex attacks… which threatened civilian infrastructure”, while asserting that “the Huthis’ actions are prolonging the suffering of the Yemeni people and jeopardising… [diplomatic] efforts at a moment when there is a commitment from the international community to end the conflict now”. The U.S. further urged “all parties to agree to a comprehensive, nationwide ceasefire and to engage in negotiations towards an inclusive political agreement under UN auspices”.

The GCC’s Secretary General wrote to P5+1 foreign ministers to affirm that JCPOA negotiations in Vienna “should not be limited to the Iranian nuclear program, but rather should include Iran’s destabilising behavior [and] ballistic missiles”. An Iranian diplomatic spokesperson responded: “These [GCC] irresponsible remarks are made in continuation of their anti-Iran remarks which are not meant to make a request for participation but seek to destroy the trend of technical talks in Vienna”.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry urged “Iran to avoid escalation and not to subject the security and stability of the region to further tension, and to engage seriously in the current ongoing negotiations… towards Iran’s utilisation of its nuclear program for peaceful purposes”. It further underlined “the importance of the international community reaching an agreement with stronger and longer determinants, in a way that strengthens monitoring and control measures and ensures preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons or developing the necessary capabilities for that, and takes into account the deep concern of the countries of the region about the escalatory steps that Iran is taking to destabilise regional security and stability, including its nuclear program”. Relatedly, a senior Saudi diplomat maintained that Riyadh “is not interested in hindering or blocking the current [JCPOA] negotiations, and explained that “we want to make sure at a minimum that any financial resources made available to Iran via the nuclear deal are not used... to destabilise the region”. He further indicated that “we can begin by a nuclear deal and move on to another format that will discuss all these issues in a positive manner… Maybe such a process can begin by confidence-building measures, by reducing tensions, by reducing the arms race in the region and then build on these steps towards a better future for all of us”.

The U.S. Intelligence Community’s 2021 Annual Threat Assessment judged that “Iran will remain a destabilising force in Yemen, as Tehran’s support to the Huthis—including supplying ballistic and cruise missiles as well as unmanned systems—poses a threat to U.S. partners and interests, notably through strikes on Saudi Arabia”.

Meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, President Rouhani was quoted as contending that “allowing the Israeli regime a foothold in the Persian Gulf region is ‘dangerous’, given the fact that the regime is a ‘destabilising and provocative’ element”. In a separate conversation with the Qatari Emir, President Rouhani underlined “the need to resolve regional issues and crises, including the Yemeni crisis, through dialogue and negotiation”, adding: “the only successful way to ensure security, peace and stability in the region is resolving issues peacefully, responsibility and taking into account the collective interests, and we believe that militarism cannot resolve regional issues”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing “a ballistic missile and six explosive-laden drones” launched by the Huthis towards Jizan, in addition to a drone bound for Khamis Mushait. The Huthis said they targeted two Aramco refineries and military sites across Saudi Arabia using multiple drones and ballistic missiles.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi ballistic missile aimed at Jizan and “an armed drone” bound for Saudi Arabia. A military Huthi spokesperson said that they had successfully targeted “warplane hangars in Jizan Airport”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi drone bound for Khamis Mushait. A military Huthi spokesperson claimed that they had struck “a sensitive site at Abha International Airport with a drone”. 

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi “explosive-laden drone” bound for Saudi Arabia, and a second en route Jizan. A military Huthi spokesperson said that they had “targeted King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait” with a drone.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi “explosive-laden drone” bound for Khamis Mushait. A military Huthi spokesperson said they had successfully targeted Saudi military sites with two drones.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince bin Farhan indicated that “we are confident the international community will work hard to ensure that the deficiencies in the [JCPOA] are eventually addressed and they will also address the regional instability that is caused by Iran’s activities”. He also expressed readiness for dialogue “if Iran changes its behaviour”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson subsequently contended that “it is deplorable that Riyadh’s view is still focused on the capitals outside the region… We advise Saudi Arabia to join the course of intra-regional negotiations and distance itself from the path of rebellion”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported thwarting “an imminent Huthi attack” by “destroying an explosive-laden boat in a southern part of the Red Sea”.

Asked to comment on media reports on the U.S. “removing some military capabilities” from Saudi Arabia, a Pentagon spokesperson asserted that “we continue to support the defence of Saudi Arabia in partnership with the Saudi military, including their abilities to counter inbound threats. And of course, we call on the Houthis to cease these attacks and to work to achieve a political solution… I am not going to get into specific capabilities”. He further indicated that “Iran still poses a threat to its neighbours in the region and to our national security interests in the region. Their ballistic missile program still exists and - and has improved. Their continued support for terrorist groups in the region still is a problem and has, in many ways, accelerated”.

A military Huthi spokesperson claimed that they had conducted a successful operation against “sensitive and important sites in Riyadh” using four drones. The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a pair of Huthi drones bound for Khamis Mushait.

The Saudi cabinet condemned Huthi strikes against Saudi Arabia as a “continuation of the Iranian guardianship over the political and military decision of the militias in order to achieve its subversive agenda to spread chaos and undermine regional and international security”.

During a visit to Saudi Arabia, Iraqi Prime Minister al-Kadhimi asserted that “we don’t accept or allow any aggression or attack on the kingdom of Saudi Arabia from Iraqi territories”, adding: “There were not any attacks from Iraq” against Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing two Huthi drones bound for Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had intercepted two Huthi “explosive-laden boats” to be used in what it described as an “imminent” attack. The coalition also reported downing “three armed drones launched towards southern Saudi Arabia, including the city of Khamis Mushait”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi ballistic missile aimed at civilian targets in Najran, in addition to “a drone fired at the city of Khamis Mushait”.

A military Huthi spokesperson reported that they had targeted multiple Saudi energy and military sites using “eighteen drones and eight ballistic missiles”. Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry confirmed that “an attack with a projectile was made on the petroleum products distribution terminal in Jizan. The attack resulted in a fire in one of the terminal’s tanks”. The Saudi defence ministry subsequently indicated that it had downed eight Huthi UAVs, and that three ballistic missiles had been launched toward Saudi Arabia, “one of which fell short… and the remaining fell in two uninhabited areas”. “These violations confirm the rejection of the terrorist militia of all political efforts to resolve the Yemeni crisis, specifically following the announcement of the Kingdom’s initiative to end the crisis”, a spokesperson indicated. “They as well reaffirm Iran’s control over the militia’s political and military decisions, through which it achieves its vandalistic agenda to spread chaos and undermine regional and international security”. The U.S. said it “join[ed] the international community in strongly condemning the attacks”, asserting that “the actions by the Huthis are a clear provocation meant to perpetuate the conflict”.

Meeting with China’s foreign minister, the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) underscored that “GCC countries [need] to take part in any negotiations on Iran and its nuclear program”, adding that these discussions “should include Tehran’s development of ballistic missiles and drones, the security and safety of shipping and its destabilizing behaviour in the region”.

Discussing a Saudi-proposed ceasefire plan to end the Yemen war, the Saudi UN envoy remarked that “the ball is in the Huthis’ court… They need to come clean and not give priority to the interests of outside parties, but rather to the interest of the Yemeni people. That’s where the ball lies and that’s where we are waiting to see if we have a partner for peace or not”.

A military Huthi spokesperson reported that they had targeted Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport using a drone; the Huthis also claimed to have downed a coalition drone.

Marking the sixth anniversary of the Yemen war, Iran’s Foreign Ministry reiterated that “the Yemen crisis has no military solution… Iran supports any peace plan focused on ending the aggression, declaring a nationwide ceasefire, ending the occupation, lifting the economic siege, starting the political dialogue and finally letting Yemenis take the helm of shaping their political future free from any foreign interference”. The following day, Iran’s ambassador to Sanaa contended that “the [22 March] Saudi initiative for Yemen is a project of permanent war; it will keep up occupation and war crimes there, and will not put an end to the war”.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister unveiled “an initiative to end the Yemeni crisis and reach a comprehensive political resolution”, noting that it “gives the Huthis an opportunity to uphold the interests of the brotherly Yemeni people… and the independence of their homeland over the Iranian regime’s expansionary ambitions in Yemen and the region”. The U.S. hailed “Saudi Arabia and Republic of Yemen Government’s commitment to a ceasefire and political process in Yemen”, urging “all parties to commit seriously to a ceasefire immediately and engage in negotiations under the auspices of the UN”. The same day, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with his Saudi counterpart and underscored the U.S.’s “commitment to supporting the defence of Saudi Arabia and strongly condemned recent attacks against Saudi territory from Iranian-aligned groups in the region”. According to the State Department, the two officials underscored “their close cooperation to support the efforts… to end the conflict in Yemen, starting with the need for all parties to commit to a ceasefire and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid”.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei posited that the Saudis “can neither stay nor leave [Yemen]… Both ways are to their detriment”. He further said: “You Americans knew what a disaster you were creating for the Saudis. If you knew it and you did it anyway, how wretched are your allies because you treat them this way. And if you did not know it, then again how wretched are your allies for trusting you and for planning with you who are not familiar with regional issues”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi “explosive-laden drone” bound for Khamis Mushait.

A military Huthi spokesperson reported that they had targeted Aramco facilities in Riyadh with six drones. The Saudi oil ministry confirmed that “the Riyadh oil refinery was attacked by drones, resulting in a fire that has been brought under control. The attack did not result in any injury or death nor was the supply of oil or its derivatives affected”. A spokesperson further urged “all nations… to stand together against such acts of terrorism and sabotage, and to stop all groups carrying out or supporting these attacks”.

The UN Security Council deplored “the cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia and expressed concern about military developments elsewhere in Yemen”. The Council also emphasised “the need for de-escalation by all, including an immediate end to the Huthi escalation in Marib”, and called on “all parties to come together and work with the UN Special Envoy to negotiate, without preconditions, a nationwide ceasefire and a Yemeni-led and owned, inclusive, political settlement”.

A military Huthi spokesperson claimed that they had hit “a military target” at Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport using a drone.

The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) denounced the 7 March drone attack on a Saudi port and missile strike on an Aramco facility in Dhahran. They also condemned “continuous attacks” by the Huthis, “affirming the GCC’s stand by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in taking all necessary and deterrent measures against these provocative acts”. The six Gulf countries urged “the international community to bear its responsibility toward these terrorist sabotage acts and the parties supporting them”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson subsequently contended that the “communique… lacks a realistic understating of surrounding developments and is in line with political pressure from the Saudi regime on the state members of the council”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi “explosive-laden drone” bound for Saudi Arabia.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif remarked that “we are prepared to talk to our neighbours in the region. The UN can provide an umbrella under UNSC Resolution 598, which gives our neighbours in the southern Persian Gulf the assurance that there will be an international umbrella”. “Some of our neighbours in the Persian Gulf have always tried to buy security through proxies”, he argued. “Now they want Netanyahu to be their proxy... What Netanyahu will do is to bring the war to their territory”.

The Saudi cabinet underscored “the importance of extending weapons embargo on Iran as it is continuing to provide the terrorist Huthi militias with advanced weapons and drones”, while voicing “support for the international efforts aimed at ensuring that the Iranian regime does not develop a nuclear weapons system and ballistic missiles, making the Arab Gulf region free of all weapons of mass destruction, and respects the independence and sovereignty of countries and not to interfere in its internal affairs”. The following day, the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) asserted that “any future negotiations with Iran must include discussions on the Iranian regime’s ballistic missiles and nuclear program”.

A military Huthi spokesperson reported that they had successfully targeted Khalid Air Base with drones; the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted a UAV bound for Khamis Mushait

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi “bomb-laden UAV” bound for Khamis Mushait. A military Huthi spokesperson claimed that they had targeted Abha International Airport and King Khalid Air Base with drones. The same day, the coalition confirmed that two ballistic missiles had fallen in unpopulated parts of southern Saudi Arabia. A U.S. diplomatic spokesperson maintained that “we remain deeply concerned by the frequency of these attacks… these are not actions of a group who say that they want peace”. She further urged “all parties to seriously commit to a ceasefire and engage in negotiations”, adding: “This is a time for… the Huthis to come to the table and to commit to peace and diplomacy”.

In a joint statement with the E3 and Italy, the U.S. “condemn[ed] the sustained Huthi offensive on the Yemeni city of Marib and the major escalation of attacks the Huthis have conducted and claimed against Saudi Arabia”. The four governments went on to “urge the Huthis to seize this opportunity for peace and end the ongoing escalation”, and underscored their “firm commitment to the security and integrity of Saudi territory”. In subsequent remarks, the U.S. special envoy for Yemen said that “we now have a sound plan for a nationwide ceasefire… That plan has been before the Houthi leadership for a number of days”. “It appears that the Houthis are prioritising a military campaign to take Marib... over suspending the war and moving relief to the Yemeni people”, he added.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister asserted that “efforts must be combined to stop the sources of the continuation of the conflict [in Yemen], the most important of which is Iran, as it supplies the Huthi militia with advanced weapons… this is a violation of UN resolutions and confirms that the arms embargo on Iran must be extended”.

The Saudi energy ministry confirmed a drone attack against “one of the petroleum tank farms at the Ras Tanura Port in the Eastern Region”, and also reported that “shrapnel from a ballistic missile fell near Saudi Aramco’s residential area in the city of Dhahran”; no casualties were reported in either incident, which a spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition asserted had been carried out using Iranian-supplied weapons. A military Huthi official claimed they had targeted multiple Saudi cities and military sites using fourteen drones and eight ballistic missiles. The U.S. said it was “alarmed by the frequency of Huthi attacks... escalating attacks like these are not the actions of a group that is serious about peace”. “We will look for ways to improve support for Saudi Arabia's ability to defend its territory against threats”, a White House spokesperson indicated. 

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing that two Huthi “bomb-laden UAVs” bound for Khamis Mushait and Jizan. A military Huthi spokesperson claimed successful strikes against “important and sensitive targets at King Khalid airbase”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing six Huthi “bomb-laden UAVs” bound for Saudi Arabia; debris caused two civilian injuries. A Huthi military spokesperson claimed that their drones had successfully targeted King Khalid Air Base and Abha International Airport.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing two Huthi ballistic missiles bound for Jizan, and one “bomb-laden UAV” aimed at Khamis Mushait. A Huthi military spokesperson claimed that they had successfully struck a Saudi Aramco facility in Jeddah with a missile, in addition to targeting the King Khalid base by drone.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi “bomb-laden UAV” bound for Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi “bomb-laden UAV” bound for Saudi Arabia. The same day, a Saudi spokesperson confirmed “the fall of a [Huthi] military projectile launched… from inside Yemen towards one of the border villages in Jizan Region”, injuring five and causing material damage.

The U.S. blacklisted two senior Huthi officials for having “used their positions… to procure weapons from Iran and to oversee attacks threatening civilians and maritime infrastructure”. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken contended that “Iran’s involvement in Yemen fans the flames of the conflict, threatening greater escalation, miscalculation and regional instability. Ansar Allah [ie, the Huthis] uses Iranian weapons, intelligence, training and support to conduct attacks threatening civilian targets and infrastructure in Yemen and Saudi Arabia”. Blinken went on to assert that “we will ensure Saudi Arabia and our regional partners have the tools they need to defend themselves, including against threats emanating from Yemen that are carried out with weapons and support from Iran. At the same time, the U.S. is working diligently at senior levels alongside the United Nations and others to bring an end to this conflict”.  

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh and half a dozen “bomb-laden UAVs” bound for Jizan and Khamis Mushait. A Huthi military spokesperson, citing Saudi Arabia’s “ongoing escalating aggression and siege”, reported the launching of “a Zolfaghar ballistic missile and fifteen drones”. He further warned that “our retaliatory attacks are continuing” and urged Saudi civilians “to stay away from all military sites and airports or that may be used for military purposes”. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken deplored the strikes and urged “the Huthis to end these egregious attacks and engage constructively with” the UN and U.S. special envoys. He further asserted that “the U.S. remains committed to its longstanding partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to helping Saudi Arabia defend its territory as it faces attacks from Iranian-aligned groups”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a ballistic missile and two “bomb-laden UAV”s launched by the Huthis at Saudi Arabia.

President Biden spoke with Saudi King Salman on “regional security, including the renewed diplomatic efforts led by the United Nations and the U.S. to end the war in Yemen, and the U.S. commitment to help Saudi Arabia defend its territory as it faces attacks from Iranian-aligned groups”. 

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with his Saudi counterpart, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Austin “condemned the recent Huthi cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia and expressed his commitment to assisting Saudi Arabia in the defence of its borders”. He also “discussed the importance of ending the war and thanked the Crown Prince for Saudi Arabia’s commitment to a political settlement”. Austin went on to highlight “Saudi Arabia’s role as a pillar of the regional security architecture”, as well as the “U.S. and Saudi shared commitment to countering Iran’s destabilising activities and defeating violent extremist organisations in the region”. 

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing two Huthi bomb-laden UAVs, one of which it said was intended for Khamis Mushait; a similar incident was again reported the following day.

Meeting with the Qatari foreign minister in Tehran, President Rouhani asserted that “we remain committed to the Hormuz Peace Endeavour (HOPE) initiative and believe that peace and stability in the region will not be achieved except through cooperation and dialogue between the countries of the region, and it is the countries of the region that must decide for their own”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi “bomb-laden UAV” bound for Saudi Arabia. A Huthi military spokesperson claimed that they had successfully targeted Jeddah and Abha airports using drones.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted two Huthi “bomb-laden UAVs” which it said were intended for Khamis Mushait. A Huthi military spokesperson claimed that their drones had “targeted Saudi Abha International Airport… for the fourth consecutive day”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi “bomb-laden UAV” bound for “civilian objects in Abha International Airport”. A Huthi military spokesperson claimed that they had “hit an important target” at the airport.

A Huthi military spokesperson claimed that they “had hit Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport and King Khalid Air Base with drones”. This was not confirmed by the Saudi-led coalition, which in turn reported downing a Huthi “bomb-laden UAV” bound for Saudi Arabia. The same day, the Huthis reported intercepting a coalition drone in Marib province.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced that “effective 16 February, I am revoking the designations of Ansarullah, sometimes referred to as the Huthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO)… and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)”. “This decision is a recognition of the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen”, he added. “The U.S. remains clear-eyed about Ansarullah’s malign actions and aggression”. Blinken further underlined that “we remain committed to helping U.S. partners in the Gulf defend themselves, including against threats arising from Yemen, many of which are carried out with the support of Iran. The U.S. will redouble its efforts, alongside the United Nations and others, to end the war itself”. Saudi Arabia’s UN envoy remarked that “we will still deal with the Huthi militia as a terrorist organisation and address its threats with military action”.

A U.S. military spokesperson indicated that “Saudi Arabia is a pillar of regional security architecture, and they’re a core stakeholder in the threat against terrorism and countering Iran’s destabilising activities… Nothing has changed with our policy and commitment to helping Saudi Arabia defend its borders”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi ballistic missile bound for Saudi Arabia. A Huthi military spokesperson claimed that they had successfully targeted King Khalid air base using “a new undisclosed ballistic missile”.

The Saudi cabinet urged “the international community to shoulder its responsibilities against the Iranian regime[’s] aggressive practices that pose a threat to the international peace and security and its ongoing transgressions of the international laws… as they threaten the security and stability of Arab countries through interference in their internal affairs and backing armed militias”. It further underlined “the significance of considering countries most affected by the Iranian threats as principal party in any international negotiations over its nuclear program and its security-threatening activities in the region”.

A Huthi military spokesperson announced that they had “targeted… warplanes hangars at Saudi Abha International Airport” using four drones. The Saudi-led coalition confirmed an attack and damage to a civilian aircraft, while reporting the downing of two Huthi “bomb-laden UAVs” bound for Saudi Arabia. The U.S. State Department responded to the incident by saying that “Huthi leaders will find themselves sorely mistaken if they think this administration is going to let up the pressure… They will come under significant pressure”. The following day, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken “condemned the Huthi attacks” and spoke with his Saudi counterpart about “joint efforts to bolster Saudi defences against attacks on the Kingdom”. The two sides also discussed “diplomatic outreach to find a negotiated political settlement to the war in Yemen”.

President Rouhani underlined that “Iran is ready to talk with all countries in the region and its neighbours, especially the Persian Gulf littoral countries, from Iraq to the six southern countries in accordance with UNSC Resolution 598, and settle regional problems and issues”. The following day, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif reaffirmed “readiness for engagement and cooperation towards shared goals and objectives with our neighbours”, while indicating: “Our consistent aim in all our endeavors has been to build a more stable, peaceful and prosperous region”. “I hope that our neighbours will have learned that they cannot bank on outsiders to provide them with security. We need to rely on each other as geography promises that we will remain neighbours forever”, he added.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister urged “the international community to put an end to Iran’s violations and threats to the region”, and contended that “the countries most affected by Iran’s threats must be a party to any future agreement”. “Iranian regime’s support for militias across the region as well as its nuclear activities and ballistic missiles pose a threat to the security and stability of Arab countries and the region”, he added.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi “bomb-laden UAV”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing multiple Huthi “bomb-laden UAV[s]” bound for Saudi Arabia. The same day, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken urged “the Huthis to immediately cease attacks impacting civilian areas inside Saudi Arabia and to halt any new military offensives inside Yemen”. He further called on them “to refrain from destabilising actions and demonstrate their commitment to constructively engage in UN Special Envoy Griffiths’ efforts to achieve peace”.

A U.S. State Department official confirmed that the administration had “formally notified Congress of the Secretary’s intent to revoke” Huthi terrorism designations. “This decision has nothing to do with our view of the Huthis and their reprehensible conduct, including attacks against civilians and the kidnapping of American citizens”, the official added. “We are committed to helping Saudi Arabia defend its territory against further such attacks. Our action is due entirely to the humanitarian consequences”.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken conferred with his Saudi counterpart on “regional security, counterterrorism and cooperation to deter and defend against attacks on the Kingdom”. Blinken also raised “several key priorities of the new administration including elevating human rights issues and ending the war in Yemen”.

President Joe Biden announced that “we are ending all American support for offensive operations in the war in Yemen including relevant arms sales… At the same time, Saudi Arabia faces missile attacks and UAV strikes and other threats from Iranian supplied forces in multiple countries. We are going to continue to help Saudi Arabia defend its sovereignty and its territorial integrity and its people”. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan separately noted that the U.S. decision “does not extend to actions against AQAP… it extends to the types of offensive operations that have perpetuated a civil war in Yemen that has led to a humanitarian crisis”. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince bin Farhan hailed “the U.S.’s commitment… to cooperate with the Kingdom in defending its security and territory”, adding: “We look forward to working with [the newly-appointed U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen] Tim Lenderking to achieve our joint goal of a comprehensive political resolution in Yemen as part of our shared vision for a peaceful and prosperous region”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi “bomb-laden UAV in Yemeni airspace”, which was bound for Saudi Arabia.

Addressing Iran’s neighbours, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif remarked that “we have an opportunity to rethink regional security”, adding: “We know that security cannot be bought or established by stockpiling weapons. The only way to establish security and peace is extensive cooperation between the countries of the region, and Iran has always stated its readiness to promote cooperation”.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken noted that “the Huthis committed an act of significant act of aggression in taking over Sanaa… committing acts of aggression against our partner, Saudi Arabia, committing human rights abuses and other atrocities, creating an environment in which we’ve seen extremist groups fill some of the vacuums that were created”. He also noted that “we’ve seen a campaign led by Saudi Arabia that has also contributed to what is by many estimates the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today... it’s vitally important, even in the midst of this crisis, that we do everything we can to get humanitarian assistance to the people of Yemen who are in desperate need”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi “hostile air target going toward Riyadh”. A Huthi military spokesperson denied any involvement in the incident. The U.S. State Department denounced the attack, noting that “it appears to have been an attempt to target civilians”. It further maintained: “As we work to de-escalate tensions in the region through principled diplomacy, including by bringing an end to the war in Yemen, we will also help our partner Saudi Arabia defend against attacks on its territory and hold those who attempt to undermine stability to account”.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince bin Farhan indicated that discussions between Saudi Arabia and the Biden administration addressing Iran and the JCPOA “will be around reaching a solid and strong agreement that takes into account Iran’s failure to comply... with strong monitoring factors to ensure the implementation of the agreement”.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif maintained that Iran would “respond positively to any initiative for regional dialogue advanced in good faith”. He also contended that “neither the U.S. nor its European allies have the prerogative to lead or sponsor future talks. Rather, the Persian Gulf region needs an inclusive regional mechanism to encourage diplomacy and cooperation and to lower the risk of miscalculation and conflict”. He further referred to Iran’s Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE) proposal and said: “The invitation is still on the table”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting a Huthi “explosive-laden” boat, and separately downing an armed drone bound for Saudi Arabia.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif hailed the Qatari foreign minister’s “call for inclusive dialogue” between Iran and GCC states, adding: “the solution to our challenges lies in collaboration to jointly form a ‘strong region’: peaceful, stable, prosperous and free from global or regional hegemony”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing three Huthi “bomb-laden UAVs” bound for Saudi Arabia.

During a visit to Moscow, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Bin Farhan stressed “the importance of confronting the continuous Iranian interference and the successive attacks on the security and stability of the region”. He also accused Iranian allies in Syria and Yemen of “obstructing peace efforts”.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced his “intent to designate Ansarallah – sometimes referred to as the Huthis – as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO)… and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity”. “I also intend to designate three of Ansarallah’s leaders… as SDGTs”, he added. Describing the Huthis as “a deadly Iran-backed militia group”, Pompeo maintained that “the designations are intended to hold Ansarallah accountable for its terrorist acts… [and] advance efforts to achieve a peaceful, sovereign and united Yemen that is both free from Iranian interference and at peace with its neighbours”. He further urged Iran “to stop smuggling weapons to Ansarallah in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and to stop enabling Ansarallah’s aggressive acts against Yemen and towards its neighbours, including Saudi Arabia”. Saudi Arabia welcomed the decision, while Iran called it an impediment to “a political solution and peace talks”.

The GCC Supreme Council issued a communique condemning various aspects of Iran’s regional behaviour, missile program and nuclear activities. The Council also highlighted, inter alia, “the importance of building confidence between the GCC and Iran” and contended that “any negotiation process with Iran should include Iran’s destabilising behavior in the region, the Iranian missile program, including ballistic and cruise missiles and drones, and the Iranian nuclear program, stressing the need for the GCC member states to participate in future international negotiations concerning the Iranian nuclear program”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson deplored “the baseless accusations” and said: “The regional policy pursued by Saudi Arabia and its destructive approach towards Iran and other countries have turned the region into a weapons depot for Western companies which has led to more foreign interference in the region. “Iran does not tolerate any interference in its nuclear and missile program and matters related to its military and defence policies”, he added.

The GCC Supreme Council denounced “the Iranian existence in the Syrian territories and Iran’s interference in the Syrian affairs, demanding to expel all Iranian forces, Hizbollah militias and all sectarian militias that Iran recruited to work in Syria”.

A Huthi military spokesperson reported downing a Saudi- drone over Yemeni airspace.

Referring to the “Al-Ula Declaration”, based on which Qatar and four Arab states reestablished diplomatic ties, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif hailed Qatar “for the success of its brave resistance to pressure and extortion” and addressed “our other Arab neighbours” by saying: “Iran is neither an enemy nor threat. Enough scapegoating – especially with your reckless patron [ie, President Trump] on his way out”. “[It’s] time to take our offer for a strong region”, he added. The same day, Saudi Crown Prince Bin Salman told the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit that “we are in utmost need to unite our efforts to advance our region and confront the challenges that surround us, particularly the threats posed by the Iranian regime’s nuclear program, its ballistic missile program, its destructive sabotage projects as well as its terrorist and sectarian activities”. He further urged “the international community to work seriously in order to stop these programs and projects that threaten regional and international peace and security”.

Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson remarked that “Saudi Arabia is an important country in the region. If the rulers of Al-Saud return from their wrong path, it is possible to restore the good relations of the past”. Relatedly, Iran’s ambassador to Kuwait said with respect to Iran-Saudi relations that “within the framework of joint cooperation, bilateral problems and regional crises can be resolved… we have repeatedly expressed our readiness to discuss the allegations and all disputed issues at the negotiating table”.

The U.S. State Department notified Congress that it had approved “a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb I (SDB I) Munitions and related equipment for an estimated cost of $290 million”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that an explosion it said was caused by a Huthi naval mine had “hit a commercial cargo ship in the southern Red Sea”, adding that such activities by the Huthis “in the southern Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait has been increasing… [posing] a serious threat to international shipping”. The following day, the coalition announced that the Huthis had launched a ballistic missile which “fell short in Yemeni territory”.

Bahrain’s U.S. ambassador, commenting on a potential U.S. return to the JCPOA, maintained that “it is important for us to be a part of the conversation, because it is us [in the region] who have a front row seat to any development, and it is us who will have to endure all the consequences”. Relatedly, Israel’s envoy in Washington argued that “if you go back to JCPOA 1.0 in hopes that you will negotiate and get 2.0 it’s never going to happen. You’re giving up all your leverage”. The UAE’s ambassador also maintained that “America should maintain strong relations with all its partners in Europe and the Middle East and show up with both groups at the negotiating table”. Iran’s UN mission subsequently emphasised that Tehran “will not renegotiate an accord already agreed to”, while asserting: “We are ready to negotiate regional issues, but only with neighbours and countries in the region… Iran does not believe that there is any need for foreign powers’ presence at that dialogue”.

A Huthi military spokesperson reported the downing of a Saudi drone.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that “it had discovered and destroyed a marine mine planted by the Huthi militia in the southern Red Sea”, claiming that “the mine… was Iranian-made”. The coalition also reported that three Huthi projectiles had landed in Jizan.

The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, met with his Saudi counterpart in Riyadh to discuss “the current security environment throughout the Middle East”. “The U.S. and Saudi Arabia share a long-standing partnership and are committed to peace and security in the Middle East region”, a U.S. readout noted.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that a ballistic missile launched by the Huthis had landed in Yemeni territory.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had downed a Huthi “explosives-laden drone” heading toward Saudi Arabia. The following day, the coalition reported that a Huthi “military projectile” had landed inside Jizan.

A shipping company reported that one of its Singapore-flagged tankers, the BW Rhine, had “been hit from an external source whilst discharging at Jeddah”. Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry indicated that “an explosive-laden boat” had been used in the incident, and a spokesperson asserted that “these acts of terrorism and vandalism, directed against vital installations, go beyond the Kingdom and its vital facilities to the security of energy supplies to the world and global economy”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson subsequently condemned “any destructive action against maritime security and freedom of international trade” and “expressed hope that countries in the region would increase their efforts to strengthen cooperation on maritime security, combating pirates and countering the trade in banned substances”.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo conferred with his Saudi counterpart on, inter alia, “the efforts to overcome divisions between Gulf countries needed to deter Iran’s aggressive acts in the region and the mutual determination to achieve an inclusive political solution to the conflict in Yemen”. 

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had intercepted and destroyed “an attempt by the terrorist Huthi militia to carry out a hostile, terrorist act in Southern Red Sea using two bomb-laden Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs)”.

The U.S. Special Representative for Iran, Elliott Abrams, posited that “no one has benefited from the rift in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) except Iran… If Qatari planes cannot overfly Saudi Arabia and instead have to overfly Iran on international flights, every single one of those brings a big fee to Iran, and we know what they do with any revenue they have. A good decent amount goes to their military and then to the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]”. “We have thought, now under two administrations, that ending that rift would be a desirable thing”, he added. “We would like to see more unity among the GCC countries, recognising and pushing back against any forms of Iranian conduct”.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had “destroyed… a bomb-laden UAV” launched by the Huthis towards Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing “an explosive-laden drone launched towards the kingdom by Yemen’s Huthi group”.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan reiterated that “what we expect is that we are fully consulted, that we and our regional friends are fully consulted vis-a-vis the negotiations with Iran”, adding that “we’ve seen as a result of the after-effects of the JCPOA that not involving regional countries results in a build-up of mistrust and neglect of the issues of real concern and of real effect on regional security”. He further opined that “one may look to a JCPOA-plus-plus… because reviving the JCPOA as it exists now will only bring us to the point where we were, which is a deficient agreement that doesn’t address the full issues”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson subsequently asserted with reference to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain that “these countries…  should know their limits and speak to that extent”.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan insisted that “the main source of that instability is Iran and Iran’s continuing activity in the region and its continuing focus on exporting its revolution on making sure that it continues to be able to manipulate governments in various countries”. He further noted that “we will be open to real dialogue in the future that addresses significant issues of concern”, while asserting that with Iran’s “attempts to impose its will by force on other states, we are not going to have progress”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a “bomb-laden UAV” launched by the Huthis towards Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced the State Department’s approval of “a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia… to include technical assistance and advisory support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) for an additional five years… for an estimated cost of $350 million”. 

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif contended that U.S. Secretary of State Mike “Pompeo’s hurried trips to the region, the trilateral meeting in Saudi Arabia and Netanyahu’s statements all point to this conspiracy that unfortunately emerged in Friday’s [27 November] cowardly terrorist act and the martyrdom of one of the country’s top executives”. A senior Saudi official subsequently maintained that “Zarif is desperate to blame the Kingdom for anything negative that happens in Iran… It is not the policy of Saudi Arabia to engage in assassinations; unlike Iran, which has done so since the Khomeini Revolution in 1979”. Relatedly, Saudi Arabia’s UN envoy maintained that “the loss of a Muslim scientist is a loss to the entire Muslim Umma (world)”, emphasising that “emotional and spontaneous reactions won't bring positive outcomes”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that a ballistic missile launched by the Huthis had landed inside Yemen. A Huthi military spokesperson claimed that the “missile hit accurately the aggression’s joint operations room [in Marib governorate]… [and] killed eight Saudi soldiers and commanders”. 

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had “destroyed two mines laid by Yemen’s Iran-backed Huthi militia in the south of the Red Sea”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that “it had destroyed an explosives-laden boat and foiled [an] attack in the southern Red Sea”; the owners of the tanker MT Agrari indicated the “vessel was attacked by an unknown source… [and] suffered a breach”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that “it had destroyed five naval mines planted by the Iranian-backed Huthi militia in the southern Red Sea. The naval mines were Iranian-made”.

A Huthi military spokesperson reported that a Huthi missile had successfully “targeted Aramco's distribution station in the Saudi city of Jeddah”, asserting that “this operation comes in response to the continued siege and aggression against Yemen”. He further “advised citizens and foreign companies operating in Saudi Arabia to stay away from vital installations”. The Saudi Ministry of Energy subsequently confirmed that “an explosion took place as a result of a terrorist attack by a projectile, causing a fire in the fuel tank at the petroleum products distribution terminal in the north of Jeddah”. The Saudi-led coalition’s spokesperson asserted that the Huthis had “been positively identified as the culprits, which did not target the Kingdom’s national assets but the core of global economy and supply routes, as well as the security of global energy”. The following day, the Saudi ambassador to the UN called on the Security Council to “shoulder its responsibility and to stop the threat of this militia to the global energy security, [to] the UN political process in Yemen and to regional security”.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan remarked with respect to Iran: “I like to call what we see in future as JCPOA++ - something that addresses the nuclear program, which is critically important of course, but also that addresses the regional malign activity including the arming of militias… and of course its ballistic missile programs and other arms programs”. “The issue with Iran is the fact that it continues to believe in imposing its will in the region on exporting its revolution to its neighbours and beyond, and we need to address that”, he argued. In related remarks, Saudi Arabia’s UN ambassador asserted that “the Iran nuclear deal has proven its failure to the entire world. And I don’t think that anybody is going to be naïve enough to go back to the same deal”.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discussed, inter alia, “the need for Gulf unity to counter Iran’s aggressive behaviour in the region and the need to achieve a political solution to the conflict in Yemen”. The following day, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan denied media reports regarding a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to Saudi Arabia to meet with the U.S. and Saudi sides.

The Saudi-led coalition announced the interception of a Huthi “bomb-laden UAV” launched towards Saudi Arabia.

A senior Saudi official was cited as saying that Riyadh “reserves the right to arm itself with nuclear weapons if regional rival Iran cannot be stopped from making one”. “Saudi Arabia has made it very clear, that it will do everything it can to protect its people and to protect its territories”, he said, while arguing that “the Iranians have only responded to pressure”.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had downed “a bomb-laden UAV” launched by the Huthis towards Saudi Arabia.

Iran’s Intelligence Ministry announced the arrest of the leader of ASMLA (Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of al-Ahwaz), what it described as a “terrorist group… directly supported by the Saudi intelligence services and the Zionist regime [ie, Israel] [that] has been managing terrorist operations in Iran”. On 18 November, the ministry released what it described as “some documents and correspondence of the ASMLA with the Saudi intelligence agencies”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing multiple Huthi “explosive-laden drones launched towards Saudi Arabia”.

Saudi King Salman remarked that “the Kingdom affirms the danger of the regional project by the Iranian regime, and we reject its interference in internal affairs [of other counties] and its support for terrorism, extremism and sectarianism”. He further urged “the international community to take a strong position against Iran to ensure it does not obtain weapons of mass destruction and develop its ballistic missile project”.

On a visit to Riyadh, the U.S. Special Representative for Iran, Elliott Abrams, “met with Saudi and Yemeni government officials to discuss joint efforts to counter Iran’s aggressive and malign policies in the region, emphasising that Iran’s destabilising actions put U.S. partners and the entire region at risk”. According to the State Department, Abrams “noted that Iran’s provision of lethal aid to the Huthis prolongs the conflict in Yemen and intensifies its humanitarian crisis, and he condemned indiscriminate Huthi attacks against Saudi cities and civilian infrastructure”.

A Huthi military spokesman urged “all foreign companies operating in Saudi Arabia, as well as our brothers inside Hijaz and Najd residents in all Saudi regions, to stay away from vital military and economic installations from being targeted by the Yemeni army”. The same day, the Saudi-led coalition announced that it had destroyed “two bomb-laden Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs)” and intercepted “a bomb-laden UAV” all launched by the Huthis. A Saudi energy official subsequently confirmed that the former operation “occurred in close proximity to a floating offloading platform that belongs to the Jizan oil products terminal [and] resulted in a limited fire on the platform’s floating hoses”. 

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had downed “two explosive-laden drones” launched by the Huthis towards Saudi Arabia. 

With Joe Biden projected as winner of the U.S. 2020 presidential election, President Rouhani remarked that “now is the time for the next administration of the U.S. to make up for past mistakes and return to the path of adherence to international obligations and respecting global regulations… Iran has always adhered to its obligations if all other parties do so in a responsible manner, and we consider constructive interaction with the world as our strategy”. Rouhani also urged “the promotion of security and development in the region in the shadow of cooperation and synergy between Iran and its neighbours, and to follow the path of stability and economic growth of the country”. Relatedly, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted: “A sincere message to our neighbours: Trump’s gone in 70 days but we’ll remain here forever. Betting on outsiders to provide security is never a good gamble. We extend our hand to our neighbours for dialog to resolve differences”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported downing a Huthi “bomb-laden UAV” launched towards Saudi Arabia.

A senior Saudi official described the “causes of tension in the region” as “the Iranian regime’s violations of international treaties and conventions as well as its insistence on interfering in the internal affairs of the countries in the region”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had downed six “bomb-laden UAVs” towards Saudi Arabia and two ballistic missiles bound for Jizan and Najran all launched by the Huthis. The U.S. embassy in Riyadh issued an alert indicating that it was “tracking reports of possible missiles or drones that may be headed toward Riyadh”, which was subsequently revised to recommend “increased caution in Saudi Arabia due to terrorism and the threat of missile and drone attacks on civilian targets”. The following day, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo denounced the attacks and argued that “this irresponsible escalation coincides with the Houthis’ declared desire to strengthen their ties with Iran… the Houthis are not serious about seeking a political solution in order to bring peace to Yemen”. Pompeo further urged “Iran to stop smuggling weapons to the Huthis in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and to stop enabling the Huthis’ aggressive acts against Yemen and towards its neighbors, including Saudi Arabia”.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had downed a Huthi “bomb-laden UAV” launched towards Saudi Arabia. A Huthi military spokesperson reported that “the operation targeted an important target at Abha International Airport”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had downed multiple “bomb-laden UAV[s]” launched by the Huthis towards the Kingdom. A Huthi military spokesperson claimed that Huthi drones had “hit accurately an important military target” at Abha International Airport.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had intercepted multiple “bomb-laden UAV[s]” launched by the Huthis towards Saudi Arabia over consecutive days. A Huthi military spokesperson reported that Huthi drones had been used against “Jizan and Abha airports and Khamis Mushait military base”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had downed two Huthi launched “bomb-laden UAV[s]” targeting Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that the Huthis had “launched a ballistic missile from Sanaa governorate… using civilian objects as a launch site”. “The missile fell short” and landed in Saada governorate, the report added.

The Saudi-led coalition and the Huthis concluded a two-day prisoner swap releasing more than 1000 individuals as part of a UN-brokered deal.

Following a meeting with his U.S. counterpart, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan contended that “the Iranian regime continues to provide financial and material support to terrorist groups, including in Yemen where the Huthis have launched more than 300 Iranian-made ballistic missiles and drones towards the Kingdom. Their development of their nuclear program, ballistic missiles and their malign activities represent a grave danger to the region and the world”.  He further asserted that Saudi Arabia and the U.S. “are both committed to counter and deter Iran’s destabilising behaviour”.

U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien confirmed the release of two “U.S. citizens… from Huthi custody in Yemen”; in parallel, Omani state media and Huthi officials reported that more than 200 Huthis had been returned to Saana.

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia held a strategic dialogue and reiterated “bilateral commitments to counter Iran’s threats to regional security and prosperity, seek a political solution to end the conflict in Yemen and enhance maritime and border security”. Speaking alongside his Saudi counterpart, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asserted that “it’s no secret that Iran’s destabilising behaviour threatens Saudi Arabia’s security and disrupts global commerce. That’s clear from Iran’s ballistic missile attacks on Saudi oil facilities in the fall of last year, and the frequent, ongoing Huthi bombardment of Saudi territory using rockets, drones and other lethal technology supplied by the regime in Tehran”. In separate remarks, Pompeo underscored that “we are doing everything we can to make sure that the Islamic Republic of Iran has fewer resources with which to underwrite the Huthis… Our pressure campaign in Iran has been enormously successful at denying them the resources for terror”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had “destroyed a ballistic missile” the Huthis “had been planning to launch towards Saudi Arabia”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had downed two Huthi-launched “bomb-laden UAV[s]” towards Saudi Arabia; another was intercepted the following day.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had downed a Huthi “bomb-laden UAV in Yemeni airspace”, intended to “target civilians and civilian objects in the Kingdom”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had downed a Huthi “bomb-laden UAV… target[ing] civilians and civilian objects in Najran”.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had thwarted an “imminent terrorist attack” by “a remotely-controlled explosive-laden Houthi boat” close to a Yemeni port.

Saudi security forces announced that they had “thwarted a terrorist cell… whose elements received a military and field training on how to make explosives, at the Revolutionary Guard’s [IRGC] sites in Iran”. According to the Presidency of State Security, ten arrests were made and various weapons confiscated. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson insisted that “Saudi rulers have fabricated a false case against Iran as a ploy to deflect public attention in order to cover up their own failed moves… We recommend Saudi Arabia opt for the path of honesty and wisdom rather than playing out worthless and dictated scenarios”.

The UN announced that “delegates representing the Government of Yemen and Ansar Allah have agreed to immediately release a first group of 1,081 conflict-related detainees and prisoners”, including fifteen Saudi nationals. The Iranian Foreign Ministry hailed the agreement and considered it a sign that “Yemeni-Yemeni dialogue is the only solution to the country’s current problems”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had downed “in Yemeni airspace a bomb-laden UAV” launched by the Huthis towards Saudi Arabia.

Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen contended that Gulf countries “understand that the threat is not Israel; it’s Iran”. “Iran never gave up from trying to achieve a nuclear weapon… Iran is the number one financier of terror. The places where Iran is involved are suffering”, he added. Relatedly, a senior U.S. diplomat remarked that the U.S. “has laid out a two-track opportunity in the region”. “You can follow the one that we laid out last Tuesday with Israel, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain… Or you can follow the path of Iran – state-sponsored terrorism and proxy wars and militias and Hizbollah and Hamas. And I think there’s a real coalition that’s building together to say, ‘We’ve seen both sides, and we prefer the former rather than the latter’”, he added.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif remarked that “Iran’s relations with neighbouring countries are based on mutual respect… However, unfortunately, there are some states in the southern section of the Persian Gulf, such as the UAE, KSA and Bahrain, who do not wish to establish durable relations with Iran”. “Their relations with Israel are certainly not a strong point in our relations, but they will not impede our relations with them either”, Zarif added.

King Salman told the UN General Assembly that “our experience with the Iranian regime has taught us that partial solutions and appeasement did not stop its threats to international peace and security. A comprehensive solution and a firm international position are required to ensure fundamental solutions to the Iranian regime’s attempt to obtain weapons of mass destruction, and its ballistic missile program, and its interference in the internal affairs of other countries, and its sponsorship of terrorism”. On Yemen, he maintained that Tehran “interfered… by supporting the coup carried out by its surrogate, the Huthi militia”, adding: “the Kingdom will not hesitate to defend its national security, nor will it abandon the fraternal people of Yemen until they regain their complete sovereignty and independence from Iranian hegemony”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson subsequently noted: “Saudi Arabia has, for years, been pursuing a blame-game policy and seeking to distort realities in order to escape the realities and not to be held accountable for its crimes”. He further highlighted Iran’s “fundamental policy of boosting diplomatic and dialogue-oriented talks in the region and the promotion of relations with all neighbours”.

The U.S. State Department underscored that Washington “remains deeply concerned by the Huthis’ aggression, supported by Iranian weapons shipments in violation of UN arms embargoes”, and urged “the Huthis to immediately cease their cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia”. 

An Iranian military spokesperson confirmed that “we provided… [Yemenis] with the experiences in technology in the defence sphere, as they have learned how to produce missiles, drones and weapons in Yemen by themselves”. “The resistance front countries have armies and forces themselves. We provide them with advisory help. In order to share our experiences with the people of Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen, our experienced forces go there and give them intellectual assistance, but this is the people and armies of those countries who stand against the enemies in practice”, he added.

A Saudi official reported receiving “a report about the fall of a military projectile launched by the Iranian-backed Huthi militia from inside Yemeni territory”, which injured five civilians in Jizan.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had “intercepted and destroyed... a bomb-laden UAV” launched by the Huthis in the direction of Khamis Mushait. 

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had downed “a number of ballistic missiles and bomb-laden UAVs” launched by the Huthis toward Saudi Arabia, and accused the Huthis of “deliberately escalating the hostile, terrorist targeting of civilians and civilian objects”. A Huthi military spokesperson claimed that they had hit “important targets” in Riyadh “in retaliation to the continuous escalation by the Saudi enemy and its continuous siege on Yemen”.

Speaking at an Arab League ministerial session, a senior Bahraini diplomat criticised “Iran's threats to the stability and security of the region, noting that Iranian interference is taking place in a blatant and dangerous manner in a number of Arab countries through its continuous support for terrorist organisations, including Hizbollah and the terrorist Huthi group”. He further urged “a firm Arab stance against these Iranian threats”. According to a Bahraini readout, “the council expressed its condemnation of the continuous Iranian interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, its support for terrorism and training of terrorists, smuggling of weapons and explosives, and provoking sectarian strife”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson asserted that “the groundless allegations [against Iran] are made from the viewpoint of the countries which have made the strategic mistake of establishing relations with the Zionist regime [ie, Israel] and are now hurriedly seeking to draw attention away from the source of threat in a mistaken belief”.  

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had downed “a bomb-laden UAV” launched by the Huthis toward Saudi Arabia. A Huthi military spokesperson claimed that multiple Huthi drones had “targeted Abha International Airport” and “struck the designated targets with great precisions”.

A UN panel of experts report on Yemen concluded that between July 2019 and June 2020, Iran and the U.S. were among the countries that “continued their support of parties to the conflict including through arms transfers, thereby helping to perpetuate the conflict”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson asserted that the report “ignored Iran’s pivotal role and its unfailing assistance for the political settlement of crisis in Yemen and has made a totally false claim by putting Iran on a list alongside those who arm the Saudi-led coalition aggressors… The allegation of Iran’s arms support for Yemen is basically false”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had intercepted “a bomb-laden UAV” launched by the Huthis towards Saudi Arabia. A Huthi military spokesperson claimed that multiple Huthis drones had “targeted Abha International Airport”, adding that it was a “response to the continuous escalation of the forces of aggression [ie, the Saudi-led coalition] and their continued siege of the Yemeni people”.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had intercepted a Huthi “bomb-laden UAV” en route to Saudi Arabia. The same day, a Huthi military spokesperson claimed a drone attack on Abha Airport “with a number of drones targeting military sites and sensitive targets inside Saudi territory”.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had downed a Huthi “bomb-laden UAV while in Yemeni airspace”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had downed “a bomb-laden UAV” launched by the Huthis towards Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had intercepted two armed UAVs launched by the Huthis. One was aimed at Abha International Airport, where “debris scattered” following the interception; there were no reported casualties. The same day, the coalition destroyed a Huthi “bomb-laden USV” in the southern Red Sea.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had downed “a bomb-laden UAV” launched by the Huthis toward Najran.

The Saudi-led coalition downed a ballistic missile fired in the direction of Najran. 

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had downed “a bomb-laden UAV” and “one ballistic missile” launched by the Huthis towards Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had downed “a bomb-laden UAV launched by the terrorist Huthi militia” and one ballistic missile bound for Najran.

The Saudi-led coalition confirmed that it had downed “multiple bomb-laden UAVs” launched by the Huthis within Yemen. The following day, the coalition intercepted “a ballistic missile… toward civilians and civilian objects”.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had downed “a bomb-laden UAV... and two ballistic missiles” by the Huthis targeting Khamis Mushait. 

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani addressed “some southern neighbours” and affirmed: “Iran’s defence and weapons power is in favour of the whole region, and we use weapons to defend ourselves, and our power is not against you. You have to be careful of those who plunder your resources and sell you weapons to bomb your neighbour… Certainly, if we did not stand for the stability of the region, you would not be here today. So we have always been your supporter and brother”.

Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA reportedly called on the agency “to conduct a transparent probe into Saudi Arabia’s very hidden nuclear program and present a report to the members”. He further argued that “despite the fact that Saudi Arabia is an NPT member, it still refuses to accept the IAEA’s safeguards inspections, and despite repeated requests by the agency for several years, it has not amended its obligations so as to allow the inspectors in”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had “intercepted and shot down a bomb-laden Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)” launched by the Huthis.

Google’s Threat Analysis Group reported that it had “terminated sixteen YouTube channels, one advertising account and one AdSense account as part of our ongoing investigation into coordinated influence operations linked to Iran”. “The campaign was linked to the Iranian state-sponsored International Union of Virtual Media (IUVM) network, and posted content in Arabic related to the U.S. response to COVID-19 and content about Saudi-American relations”, the report added.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei remarked that “Our eternal concerns are helping innocent Palestine and showing sympathy to the injured body of Yemen and to the consternations of Muslims subject to oppression in any part of the world. We also consider it our duty to offer words of advice to the heads of some Muslim countries who have resorted to the bosom of the enemy instead of relying on their Muslim brothers”. “These are people who condone the survival of the usurping and oppressive Zionist regime [ie, Israel] and who extend their hand of friendship to them privately and openly… I warn them about the bitter consequences of this behaviour” Khamenei added. He also remarked that “we regard the presence of the U.S. in west Asia as detrimental to regional nations and as a cause of insecurity, destruction and backwardness for countries”.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif stated that “we are ready to cooperate with Saudi Arabia as two Persian Gulf states. However, it seems that the Saudi Arabian authorities are more aimed at starting a war [along] with the U.S. and benefitting from it. However, over the past few months, the U.S. has shown that it is not ready to get into a war in the interests of Saudi Arabia”. “The Saudis had better wake up, cheer up and engage in dialogue with those who are always with them in the region, instead of aiming their efforts at cooperating with Israel and the U.S.”, Zarif added.

The U.S., Iraq and the Gulf Cooperation Council jointly announced that they had “renewed their full support for the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) project to connect the electricity grids of Iraq and the GCC. The U.S. is committed to facilitating this project and providing support where needed”. “This project”, the statement added, “will provide much-needed electricity to the people of Iraq and support Iraq’s economic development, particularly in the southern provinces”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had intercepted multiple ballistic missiles and “bomb-laden UAVs launched by the terrorist, Iran-backed Huthi militia launched deliberately from Sanaa to target civilians and civilian objects in the Kingdom”. A Huthi military spokesperson claimed that “the operation targeted the warplanes hangers, base housing and patriot systems in Khamis Mushait and other military sites at the airports of Abha, Jizan and Najran… A giant oil facility in the industrial zone in Jizan was [also] accurately targeted”. The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) the next day denounced “Iran’s provision of… weapons to the Huthis in violation of the embargo imposed by Security Council Resolution 2216”. Iran’s Foreign Ministry responded: “we recommend the new GCC secretary general focuses his attention on the need to stop attacks by the [Saudi-led] coalition aggressors against Yemeni women and children and help settle the Yemen crisis through intra-Yemeni talks rather than pursuing the blame game trend and levelling groundless accusations against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is in line with the destructive role of some GCC members”.

The Saudi-led coalition’s spokesperson remarked that “since the end of June… we’ve noticed the Huthi militias escalating their attempts to target civilians in Saudi Arabia, in Yemeni areas, and to threaten maritime routes and international trade. The important aspect here is that there is no doubt that the Iranian regime, the Iranian [Islamic] Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) are dictating [orders for those attempts]”. “The [Huthi] militias do not have the power to make the decision to reach a political solution… The Iranian regime is the one benefitting from the continuation of those operations or the Yemen crisis”, he contended.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had conducted a “destruction operation against two legitimate military targets of the terrorist, Iran-backed Huthi militia” off the coast of Yemen.  “The destroyed targets are two bomb-laden USVs [Unmanned Surface Vehicles]… prepared to imminently execute hostile and terrorist actions in Bab al-Mandab Strait and Southern Red Sea”, the coalition asserted.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo remarked that it “would be tragically dangerous for the region and created instability” if the UN arms embargo against Iran were to expire in October 2020. He added that “we’ve been working with our Gulf state partners, not only to get them to assist the U.S. effort to extend this arms embargo… but second, we’ve provided a great deal of assistance”. “You see all kinds of U.S. sales of weapons… and things that we can do both publicly and otherwise to help provide security in the face of an increasing capability of the Iranians to fire missiles all throughout the region, and ultimately establish a set of missile capabilities that is robust enough to defeat missile defences throughout the region, but strike in places that go beyond even just their near neighbourhood”, Pompeo added.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo provided details of a 28 June weapons seizure previously alluded to by Saudi officials, stating that “U.S. and partner forces interdicted a vessel off the coast of Yemen with illicit cargo including 200 RPGs, more than 1,700 AK rifles, 21 surface-to-air and land-attack missiles, several anti-tank missiles and other advanced weapons and missiles”. Pompeo contended that “Iran is not abiding by the UN arms embargo restrictions” and urged the UN Security Council to “extend the arms embargo on Iran [beyond October] to prevent further conflict in the region”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson reacted by saying that “Americans who feel they have not succeeded in continuing Iran’s arms embargo on the international arena and the UN Security Council, are trying to use accusations and lies as an excuse to continue to exert maximum pressure and advance their vicious goals”.

The Saudi cabinet underscored that “the international community should take a firm stance against Iran and appropriate measures to continue [the UN] arms embargo on the Iranian regime, and to deal seriously with the nuclear and ballistic programs being developed by Iran”. The cabinet further cautioned “against the security consequences of the arms agreements that ignored Iran’s regional expansion and the legitimate security concerns of the region’s countries”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had “intercepted and destroyed… four bomb-laden UAVs launched by the terrorist, Iran-backed Huthi militia toward the Kingdom”. A Huthi military spokesperson indicated that the attack struck “Saudi military sites in Asir and Najran provinces”, and warned that “we will continue targeting the Saudi depth and its military and sovereign institutions, and we will make sure that our targets are far from harming the Saudi people”.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had “started a military operation against Yemen’s Huthi movement after it stepped up cross-border missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia”.

Briefing the Security Council on the UN Secretary-General’s ninth biannual report on the implementation of resolution 2231, a senior UN official shared the Secretariat’s conclusion that “the examined cruise missiles and delta-wing UAVs and/or parts thereof used in the [2019] attacks on Saudi Arabia were of Iranian origin”. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the report’s findings “reinforce our support for a continued ban on arming the Iranian regime, and confronting its developing nuclear and ballistic programs”. Foreign Minister Javad Zarif claimed that the U.S. had “coerced the Secretariat to rely on self-serving allegations and forged documents to produce an utterly unprofessional report outside the scope of its mandate”.

The U.S. Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook, met with senior Saudi officials in Riyadh. According to a U.S. readout, the two sides “highlighted the importance of extending the United Nations arms embargo on Iran” and “discussed joint diplomatic efforts at the UN and around the world to extend the embargo” beyond October 2020. At a joint press conference with Hook, a senior Saudi official warned that “despite the embargo, Iran seeks to provide weapons to terrorist groups, so what will happen if the embargo is lifted? Iran will be become more ferocious and aggressive”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson responded: “it is time that… countries [like Saudi Arabia] give up injudicious remarks and blind obedience to the U.S… The only way to establish stability and security in the region is to change hostile behaviour and turn to regional cooperation”, he added.

Saudi Arabia’s Border Guards revealed that on 25 June “three Iranian boats… entered Saudi waters, where they were immediately followed up and repeated warnings issued to them to stop, but they refused to respond”. The Saudi forces subsequently “fired warning shots, forcing the Iranian boats to retreat”. An Iranian official indicated that the ships were fishing boats that had gone off course.

The Arab Parliament issued a resolution holding “the Iranian regime fully responsible for its flagrant violation of the UN Security Council resolutions and its continued provision of Huthi coup militia with smart weapons, ballistic missiles and drones with the aim of destabilising security in the region and perpetuating chaos in the Republic of Yemen”.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had intercepted “eight bomb-laden UAVs… and three ballistic missiles” launched by the Huthis. The following day, the coalition reported the interception of another Huthi missile targeting Riyadh. A Huthi military spokesperson declared that “we have implemented… the largest offensive operation named ‘the 4th Balanced Deterrence Operation’ on the capital of the Saudi enemy” as a result of “the ongoing unjust blockade and the brutal aggression against our great Yemeni people”.

The U.S. Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook, posited that “Iran would love to see a version of Hizbollah on Saudi’s southern flank. That is their ambition. And this would, I think, help build out Iran’s goals to create the Shiite crescent that stretches from Beirut down to Yemen. And so we’re doing what we can to interdict weapons”. Contending that “the Iranian regime has not been held to account by the international community for what it has done to create one of the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophes”, Hook argued that “the Huthis are a tribal militia that have been organised, trained and equipped for many years by Iran. And they did this while they were in the Iran deal”. Discussing negotiations, Hook claimed that “every time we bring these groups together, Iran is always hanging outside the conference room urging the Huthis to keep at it. And that has been one of the biggest, if not the biggest, obstacle to winding down the war in Yemen, is Iran wants to keep attacking Saudi Arabia through a proxy. It’s no different from what they do in Lebanon with Hizbollah or with Palestine Islamic Jihad, or with Hamas, or with its PMF in Iraq, on and on. This is Iran’s playbook”.

Saudi Arabia’s IAEA envoy told the Board of Governors that “Iran is still exploiting the shortage of an international nuclear agreement to extend its nuclear activity towards obtaining nuclear weapons”. He further expressed support for “a new comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran that tackles the shortage in the current agreement, in a way that guarantees Iran’s as well as its regional surrounding rights in peaceful usage of nuclear activities and, at the same time, prevents Iran from expanding its terrorist regional plots or obtaining nuclear weapons”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had “intercepted and destroyed… a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist, Iran-backed Huthi militia from Saada, Yemen, toward Najran in a deliberate attempt to target civilians and civilian objects”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had “intercepted and destroyed… a bomb-laden UAV launched by the terrorist Iran-backed Huthi militia to deliberately target civilians and civilian objects in Khamis Mushait”. Later in the day, the coalition announced interception of “multiple bomb-laden UAVs” intended for “civilians and civilian objects in Aseer province”. A Huthi military spokesperson maintained that the strikes “hit their targets” and were “in response to the massive air escalation” by the coalition.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had “intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist, Iran-backed Huthi militia from Saada governorate, deliberately targeting innocent civilians and civilian objects in Najran”. According to the statement, “minor injuries were sustained by civilians as a result of debris of the intercepted ballistic missile”.

CENTCOM commander Kenneth McKenzie opined that “Iran has no interest in this [Yemen] war being over. In fact, there's nothing better for them than for Saudi to continue to bleed out, for the Huthis to continue to launch attacks into Saudi Arabia and for this to continue to go on as something they can use to further embarrass the kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the international stage”. McKenzie further assessed that “if we could reduce the Iranian patronage… for the Huthis we might be able to get to an ultimate solution there. And that would allow other things to happen”.

Danish authorities announced charges against “three people for financing and promoting terrorism in Iran, including in collaboration with a Saudi intelligence service”. Denmark’s foreign minister underscored that “we will not accept such activities under any circumstances and our ambassador in Riyadh has repeated the same message directly to the Saudi authorities”.

A Pentagon official asserted that “American forces maintain strong capabilities in the [regional] operations, including air defence, to address any Iran-related emergencies as needed… We continue to work with the international community and the Saudi armed forces to strengthen regional air defence capabilities, and this is a multilateral and long-term effort”. “The U.S.-Saudi defence partnership is long-term, and includes a range of aspects of cooperation, including counter-terrorism, maritime security and air defence”, the spokesperson underscored.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had “intercepted and destroyed… UAVs launched by the terrorist Iran-backed Huthi militia toward civilian objects in Najran”.

Asked to comment on the “status of the Patriot missile battery withdrawals from Saudi Arabia”, a U.S. defence spokesperson indicated that “we have robust capabilities in theatre to address multiple threats and we have the ability to augment those resources on short notice... We have a longstanding relationship with Saudi Arabia. That is clearly not in question, whether we're moving forces in or moving them out. That's counterterrorism, that's maritime security, that's air defence and we remain committed to that”.

President Trump spoke to King Salman, and both leaders “reaffirmed the strong U.S.-Saudi defense partnership”, according to a U.S. readout. Commenting on reports about U.S. plans to remove “two Patriot anti-missile batteries from Saudi Arabia along with a number of military personnel”, the U.S. Special representative for Iran, Brian Hook, stated: “it doesn’t mean that Iran is no longer a threat… Our troop levels go up and down depending on the circumstances, but the mission set is the same. Our mission is not at all changed. We’re standing with our partners and our allies in the region. We’re doing everything we can to protect American interests”. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo subsequently indicated that “those Patriot batteries had been in place for some time. Those troops needed to get back. They needed to reposition… this wasn’t either a recognition of a decreased threat [from Iran]”. “It’s not a decrease in our support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”, he added. Pompeo further noted that the Iranians “can see that we still have ample capability to continue to exercise both our maximum pressure campaign and our deterrence in the region”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that “Huthi militia launched two ballistic missiles”, both of which fell in Yemeni territory.

After the Yemeni Southern Transitional Council (STC) declared self-rule in southern Yemen, the Saudi-led coalition called “for an immediate end to any steps contrary to the Riyadh Agreement, and work rapidly toward its implementation”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson also indicated that “Iran supports the united Yemen whose territorial integrity is protected… Such actions [of self-rule] will not only fail to help solve the current problems in Yemen, but will complicate the situation in the country”. The U.S. State Department said it was “concerned” by the STC announcement, contending that “such unilateral actions only exacerbate instability in Yemen”.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif spoke with the UN Secretary-General, who, according to an Iranian readout, “welcomed the Islamic Republic of Iran’s efforts to ensure a ceasefire in Yemen and launch political talks over the Yemeni crisis”. Both officials “also emphasised the need for the reopening and security of the border and ports in Yemen to deliver humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people, particularly at the time of outbreak of coronavirus”.

The Saudi-led coalition announced “a one-month extension of the ceasefire” initiated on 8 April. The statement indicated that “the chance is still there for concerted efforts to reach a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Yemen, and consensus on serious, direct and tangible steps to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni brotherly people”. The Coalition also stated that “it will strongly support such fundamental steps with the UN in order to reach a just and comprehensive political solution agreed upon by all the Yemenis”. A Huthi military spokesperson subsequently reported multiple strikes by the coalition.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that “the terrorist Iran-backed Huthi militia deliberately launched a ballistic missile to target civilians and civilian objects in Marib”, and maintained that the action “underscores the militia’s denial of all efforts and initiatives of ceasefire and de-escalation”. The coalition also asserted that it was “continuing to exercise utmost restraint in its rules of engagement, while maintaining the legitimate right to respond proportionately in self-defence, and undertaking all necessary measures to protect civilians in Yemen from the wrath of this terrorist militia”.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif spoke with the UN Secretary-General discussing, inter alia, “latest developments in Yemen”. The two spoke again the following day. According to an Iranian readout, “the UN chief gave a report on the international body’s efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Yemen”, and “Zarif expressed support for the Secretary-General's efforts… stating that the Yemeni crisis has no military solution. He also called the establishment of a lasting ceasefire a prelude for the launch of political process to resolve the crisis”.

The Saudi-led coalition announced a “comprehensive ceasefire in Yemen for a period of two weeks”, effective 9 April and with a possibility of extension. A spokesperson declared that “the Coalition will seize this opportunity to unite all efforts to reach a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Yemen, and agree on serious, concrete and direct steps to alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people and maintain their health and safety” amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. A Huthi military spokesperson on 9 April maintained that coalition strikes were ongoing. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo welcomed the announcement and “urge[d] the Huthis to respond in kind and cooperate with the UN special envoy, who has called for urgent talks between the parties”; another senior U.S. diplomat opined that “we think this is incredibly productive, and we think it’s really problematic that the Huthis aren’t following suit”.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with his Saudi counterpart and “underscored that the U.S. strongly condemns the Huthis’ attempted attacks on civilian targets in Saudi Arabia on 28 March”. According to a U.S. readout of the conversation, “Secretary Pompeo expressed support for the de-escalation efforts led by UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths, and the Secretary and the Foreign Minister agreed that an unstable Yemen only benefits the Iranian regime and that the regime’s destabilising behaviour there must be countered. The Secretary underscored that the U.S. would continue to support Saudi Arabia in the face of Iran’s threatening behaviour”.

Discussing an 28 March Huthi missile attack against Saudi Arabia, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo indicated that “the damage that was done by those was very minor, but nonetheless there’d been a lot of work to reduce conflict, to take down the levels of violence that were there, and we’d had some success. The Saudis had been leading that effort, and it broke down that day”. Pompeo added that “the Saudis have now responded, and I’m hopeful they can get back on the right path. We are hopeful that we can find a path forward with the UN Security Council resolution in Yemen to find a path to peace there... Sadly, it appears that the Iranians don’t share our vision for peace in Yemen and in Saudi Arabia”.

The Saudi-led coalition confirmed that in response to a 28 March Huthi missile attack, the coalition had “conducted a military operation to neutralise and destroy ‘legitimate military targets’ of the terrorist Huthi militia in accordance with customary International Humanitarian Law to confront ongoing and imminent threats”. The statement added that “the targets that were destroyed include advanced capabilities of the terrorist militia, storage, assembly and installation sites of ballistic missiles and UAVs, locations of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) experts and weapons depots”. The coalition further posited that “the Iranian regime is concentrating all financial, man and logistic powers to support the terrorist militia to realise its ideals and expansionist ambitions on the account of the Iranian people who are suffering in this hectic time”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson responded by calling on “the coalition of aggressors against Yemen to take into account the realities on the ground… instead of delusions and reveries, and to recognise that playing with words, pinning blame on others and making accusations against the others will not make up for their political and military failures”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that “the Royal Saudi Air Defense intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the terrorist Iran-backed Huthi militia… toward Riyadh and Jizan”. Debris fell in both cities though there were no initial reports of casualties. The coalition asserted that “the launch of ballistic missiles by the terrorist Huthi militia and the IRGC at this time reflects the real threat of this terrorist militia and the Iranian regime sponsoring it…It is a continuation of Iran’s strategy of falsification and procrastination to deepen the suffering of brotherly people of Yemen, and further proof that the Huthi militia is stripped of its will and decision-making ability to end this crisis”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had been “able to intercept and destroy UAVs launched by the terrorist Iran-backed Huthi militia toward civilian objects in Abha and Khamis Mushait”.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and suggested that “Saudi Arabia has a real opportunity to rise to the occasion and reassure global energy and financial markets when the world faces serious economic uncertainty”. Pompeo also “thanked the Crown Prince for Saudi Arabia’s continued partnership in the face of the Iranian regime’s destabilising regional behaviour”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had “detected an attempt by the terrorist Iran-backed Huthi militia to conduct an imminent hostile, terrorist act in Southern Red Sea using two R/C exploding boats launched from Hodeida governorate”.

King Salman chaired a cabinet session which reiterated that “Iran bears direct responsibility for the ‎outbreak of corona infection”. The cabinet further contended “that the international community must ‎assume its responsibilities regarding the Iranian hostile practices and sponsorship of terrorist activities ‎in the region and the world which pose a threat to the international peace and security”. ‎

The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had “destroyed… six remote-controlled exploding boats and naval mines assembly, rigging and launch sites” in western Yemen, adding that “these locations are used [by the Huthis] to prepare execution of hostile action and terrorist operations that threaten sea lines of communication and international trade in the southern Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab strait”.

After five Saudi nationals tested positive for COVID-19 following travel to Iran, a Saudi official stated that “the Kingdom denounced Iran's irresponsible action of granting Saudi citizens entry to its territories without stamping their passports, especially at a time where there is an outbreak… in Iran. These actions are a proof of Iran’s direct responsibility in increasing COVID-19 infections and in the virus’s outbreak all around the world”. The official further asserted that Saudi Arabia would consider “the Iranian authorities fully responsible for all Saudis who did not report their travels and had gotten infected during their stay in Iran”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson subsequently indicated that “electronic visa issuance rules and regulations of the Islamic Republic of Iran are equal for nationals of all countries… and labeling and stamping entry and exit sign is prevented according to the visa requirements of many advanced and developed countries”. He further urged “Saudi Arabia to avoid politicising coronavirus and psychological projection in this field”.

The speaker of the Arab Parliament reportedly asserted that “the transgressions and threats of the Iranian regime require a unified Arab stance to stop them, indicating that the Arab Parliament is currently working on preparing a ‘unified Arab strategy to deal with the geographical neighbouring countries’”, Iran among them.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that “an imminent terrorist attack that was aiming to target an oil tanker in the Arabian Sea… was thwarted”. The coalition’s spokesperson indicated that “the attempt was carried out using four boats and [was] attempting to bomb the oil tanker using one of the unmanned, remote-controlled exploding boats”, and further asserted that “the naval threat… has evolved into a strategic threat to international security”.

U.S. Central Command announced that “the U.S. Navy and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) are participating in [bilateral maritime] exercise Nautical Defender 20”.

A Saudi court sentenced one Saudi individual to death and seven others to jail for reported charges of “spying for Iran and monitoring two foreign embassies in the Kingdom”.

The Saudi-led coalition said that it had foiled “an attempt of an imminent hostile, terrorist attack in Southern Red [Sea] using a remote-controlled exploding boat… by the terrorist Iran-backed Huthi militia”. The coalition also announced that it had carried out “a military operation to destroy legitimate military targets of Iran-made ballistic missile and UAV assembly, storage and launch capabilities in the capital [ie, Sanaa]”.

During a visit to Saudi Arabia, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo maintained that “the leaders in this region… appreciate America’s ability to support the deterrence posture that we have [against Iran] and they understand that if we cower, if we shrink back from the Iranian imperialism, from this theocratic revolutionary regime, that life for ordinary people, whether that’s in Jordan or in Bahrain or here in Saudi Arabia, or in the Emirates, will be worse off… They’re thankful for our presence, for our support and the work that we’re all doing as part of this coalition whether that’s in the Strait of Hormuz or in Europe or right here on the ground”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that “the Royal Saudi Air Defence intercepted ballistic missiles launched by the terrorist Iran-backed Huthi militia towards Saudi cities”. The following day, a Huthi military spokesperson claimed that they had “targeted Aramco and other sensitive targets in Yanbu”, Saudi Arabia.

Speaking alongside Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Saudi Arabia, the U.S. ambassador to country indicated that “the kingdom has done a tremendous amount to suppress Sunni Islamic extremism within their own borders, and they have been a great cooperation partner with us… Now what the next job is, at some point in history – hopefully soon – Shiite Islamic extremism led by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force gets rolled back”. Discussing the aftermath of the September 2019 attack against Saudi oil facilities, he noted that the Saudis “naturally turned to us for support, and our support has been defensive. They’ve never asked for offensive support… the defensive posture is much improved not only for the U.S. but for Saudi Arabia. And so our ability to withstand something that might come from that direction is much improved, but it’s not perfect”. He further maintained that “the missiles that are being used and fired from Yemen by the Huthis are all coming from the Iranians… it’s really important for us to understand who is the aggressor in the region, and it’s no doubt it’s the Iranians”.

Referring to weapon shipments seized by the U.S. forces in the Arabian Sea on November 2019 and February 2020, a spokesperson for the U.S. Central Command stated that “the U.S. assesses with high confidence that the weapons… were manufactured in Iran and were being illicitly smuggled to the Huthis in Yemen”. A senior U.S. defence official underscored that “the Pentagon continues to be committed to disrupting the transport of illicit weapons in the region and preventing Iran from spreading its malign influence”. The U.S. Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook, asserted that “Iran’s ongoing transfer of weapons to the Huthis violates multiple UN Security Council resolutions”. He added that “The international community should apply more pressure on Iran until it stops providing arms, training and funding to proxy groups in the gray zone. This includes by acting to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran, which, under the Iran deal, expires in October”.

Discussing Iran’s Hormuz Peace Endeavour (HOPE) proposal, President Rouhani noted that “some regional countries welcomed it well and some others have not yet given an explicit response, but we still believe that it is the regional states that must help establish peace. We stress that all countries must enjoy security and stability in the region”. On Yemen, Rouhani underlined that “the Yemeni issues must be resolved by the Yemenis themselves and the countries that are carrying out acts of aggression toward the country must stop it”. He also asserted that Iran “oppose[s] war”, while adding that “Americans are not looking for war either”.

At the Munich Security Conference, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif underscored that “we have no intention of having trouble with any of our neighbours… We would run to the assistance of Saudi Arabia if anybody attacks Saudi Arabia”. Zarif added: “my message to my brothers: I’m not asking them to stop their relations with the U.S. That’s none of my business... What is our business is that the U.S. will not give you protection. Israel will not give you protection. You need to get protection from within. Security cannot be purchased”. He further accused Saudi Arabia of funding “every Iranian terrorist organisation”. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan indicated that “our message to Iran has been that once they are willing to admit that their regional behaviour is the main source of instability and that activities such as firing ballistic missiles at your neighbouring states is not contributory to security, then we can discuss the potential of talks”.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan indicated that “we have a back channel [between Riyadh and the Huthis] and it’s not yet ready to move to the highest level”. “It’s making progress”, he added, maintaining that “we have seen some deterioration recently, but we are committed to moving it forward”.

The Saudi-led coalition confirmed that the previous day a “Royal Saudi Air Force Tornado fighter jet crashed while conducting close air support to units of the National Army of Yemen”. The coalition subsequently indicated that it “holds the terrorist Huthi militia responsible for the lives and wellbeing of the [Tornado] air crew”. The following day the Huthis accused the coalition of conducting airstrikes in al-Jawf governorate in which “nearly 30 people were killed”; Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson condemned the strike.

The U.S. contended that the UN Security Council’s Final Report of the Panel of Experts on Yemen supported “the conclusion of the U.S., France, Germany, and the United Kingdom that Iran bears responsibility” for the 14 September attack on Saudi oil facilities, arguing that since then “Iran has continued its program of terrorism, nuclear extortion and destabilising behaviour”. “The Security Council,” the statement added, “now has less than 36 weeks until the October expiration of the UN arms embargo to renew sanctions forbidding the sale of certain weapons systems to Iran”. According to the UN report, “despite claims to the contrary, the Huthi forces are unlikely to be responsible for the [September 2019] attack, as the estimated range of the weapon systems used does not allow for a launch from Huthi-controlled territory. Nevertheless, a number of other attacks on Saudi Arabia can clearly be attributed to the Houthi forces”. The Panel also reported “the continued reception by Huthi forces of military support” and indicated that “some of those weapons have technical characteristics similar to arms manufactured in the Islamic Republic of Iran”.

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper remarked that “what we want to do is increase the NATO activities' presence in Iraq, making sure that we're fully living up to the capacity available to us in NATO Mission Iraq. And then, of course, to the degree that NATO can – can offset the U.S. presence, that would over time allow us to bring some forces home”. Esper further noted that “I also want to see if NATO can help us, help our friends and partners in the Middle East with air defence, as an example. So the Saudis in particular are – need additional air defence assets to deter Iranian bad behaviour. They're not the only country, but that's an example where I'd like to see greater NATO participation, or at least our NATO partners participating”.

A senior Iranian official posited that “we have always been ready to hold talks with Saudi Arabia, but unfortunately, the leaders of this country are not in charge of making decisions for themselves… The Americans are trying to take advantage of the situation; as such, they don’t allow Saudi leaders to take independent decisions”.

Iran’s ambassador to Iraq remarked that “Tehran welcomes Iraq’s role in seeking to resolve outstanding issues between Iran and Saudi Arabia and regional issues… the Iraqi government has played a constructive role in the region and we welcome any effort to reduce tension”. He also called on the U.S. to “stop interfering in the affairs of the region and dismantle their bases”, adding that “in the event that the U.S. commits another crime, Iran will respond to it again”.

The Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) announced the arrest of three members of an Iranian opposition group, ASMLA (Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of al-Ahwaz). The three individuals were “charged with espionage in Denmark on behalf of a Saudi intelligence service”, which according to PET took place between 2012 and 2018. A fourth person was detained in the Netherlands.

Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson reported that “the Saudi government has barred the Islamic Republic” from an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting called “to discuss the OIC's stance on the Palestinian cause” after release of the U.S. Peace to Prosperity plan.

Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson responded to reports of a UN panel assessing that the Huthis had obtained materiel “similar to Iran’s” by contending that “all that glitters is not gold and any similar weapon is not necessarily as an Iranian weapon”.

During a trip to Saudi Arabia, a senior U.S. military official predicted that a military engagement involving Iran was “not going to be a ground maneuver war, it’s going to be a war of fires, it’s going to be a war of ballistic missiles, a war of unmanned aerial systems and cruise missiles… the ability of nations in the region to provide for their air defence is going to be important”.

A Huthi military spokesperson claimed that “in response to the air escalation of the aggression, the missile force and drone air force carried out specific operations targeting Aramco in Jizan, Abha, Khamis Mushait base and sensitive targets in the Saudi rear”.

President Trump unveiled “Peace to Prosperity: A Vision to Improve Lives of the Palestinian and Israeli People”. Prime Minister Netanyahu told Trump that the initiative “strikes the right balance where others have failed… It’s a great plan for Israel. It’s a great plan for peace”. He also praised the president as “the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House”, going on to cite, inter alia, Trump’s moves “to stand up to Iran, to pull out of that dangerous Iran deal… to eliminate Qassem Soleimani”. President Rouhani called the U.S. initiative “abhorrent to all Muslims and freedom seekers in the world”. Saudi Arabia welcomed Trump’s efforts and urged “the start of direct peace negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, under the auspices of the U.S., and to resolve any disagreements with aspects of the plan through negotiations”.

The Saudi Foreign Minister indicated that ISIS “continue to pose a threat and it's very important that the international community continue to support the Iraqi forces to remain vigilant and the American presence is an important of that”. He described the killing by the U.S. of IRGC Quds Force head Qassem Soleimani as “legitimate self-defence” and said that Iran’s “statements [since Soleimani’s killing] aren't positive. But we will continue to call on them to behave in a way that can support regional stability”.

In a statement, the U.S. said it was “alarmed by renewed violence in Yemen”. It went on to urge “all parties to put the needs of the Yemeni people first and immediately return to restraint”, while asserting that “the Huthis must cease attacks on Saudi territory”. 

A senior Saudi defence official contended that “the biggest threats to the region, and to international security, is basically Iran”. He further stated that “Iran has expansionist policies. They want to basically take over countries in the region. They have these destructive activities in the region that is pulling the region backward, not forward. This is the cause of friction”. He added that “the Iranian regime and its proxies on one side, and ISIS, al-Qaeda and terrorist organizations on the other side. We believe that they’re both two sides of the same coin… when it comes to us, we’re the common enemy, and they cooperate”.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal expressed his government’s willingness to negotiate with Iran, adding that “it is really up to Iran”. He noted that talks would require Tehran’s acknowledgement that Iran “cannot further its regional agenda through violence”. In related remarks, a senior Saudi official called Iran “the largest sponsor of terrorism in the world” and reiterated: “pressure needs to be continued on Iran”. Asserting that “the Iranians have to show good faith… change their behaviour and their policies”, he also stated that if Iran “want to be treated as a normal country, they should act as one”. Foreign Minister Javad Zarif subsequently took to Twitter to maintain that “'normal’ countries don’t operate abattoirs disguised as consulates. ‘Normal’ countries don’t attack their neighbours, cause a humanitarian crisis and refuse to talk. Nonetheless, we don’t set preconditions for dialogue”.

A missile strike against a Yemeni armed forces camp in Marib killed over a hundred and left dozens more injured; the Saudi government “expressed in the strongest terms… condemnation and denunciation of this sinful terrorist attack carried out by the Huthi militia”.

French President Emmanuel Macro, announced that “in the Arabian Peninsula and Arab-Persian Gulf, where tensions are mounting, we have deployed in record time the Jaguar Task Force, which contributes to reassuring the Saudi kingdom”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson subsequently reacted by asserting that “your military presence in the Persian Gulf is as wrong as your naming it. Both mistakes are huge but compensable”.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif emphasised that "we are ready for negotiations with Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf littoral states and we are ready to give proposals regarding security in this region, particularly the Strait of Hormuz”.

Media reports cited a confidential UN report assessing that “Huthi forces did not launch the attacks on Abqaiq and Khurais on 14 September 2019” because the missiles used in the attack did not “have a sufficient range to have been launched from Yemeni territory under the control of the Huthis”. “Abqaiq and Khurais were approached respectively from a north/northwestern and north/northeastern direction, rather than from the south, as one would expect in the case of a launch from Yemeni territory”, the report added.

Following the killing by the U.S. of Iran’s Qods Force commander, Qassem Soleimani, the Saudi foreign minister indicated that “we are very keen that the situation in the region doesn’t escalate any further. It’s certainly a very dangerous moment and we have to be conscious of the risks and dangers not just to the region but to wider global security”.

The head of the IRGC's Qods force, Qasem Soleimani, was killed in a U.S. strike in Baghdad. The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that "at the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani”, adding that "Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region". Iran confirmed Soleimani’s death, and the IRGC said that four other Qods force members along with five Iraqis, notably including a senior Hashd official, were also killed in the operation. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei subsequently asserted that "enemies should bear in mind that the Islamic Republic of Iran will take tough revenge on criminals over the martyrdom of General Soleimani".

The Saudi-led coalition announced that “six Saudi war prisoners arrived at King Salman Airbase”.

The Saudi Cabinet “expressed the Kingdom's condemnation and denunciation of the attacks by terrorist militias backed by the Iranian regime against the American forces present in Iraq”.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman “discussed [27 December] Kataeb Hizbollah strikes on Coalition Forces in Kirkuk… as well as the U.S.’ defensive strikes [on 29 December] in Iraq and Syria”. They “agreed that the Iranian regime and its proxies continue to be a destabilising force in the region and that nations have a right to defend themselves in the face of these threats”. According to the U.S. readout of the call, Pompeo “underscored that attacks by the Iranian regime, or their proxies of any identity, that harm Americans, our allies or our interests will be answered with a decisive response”, and both sides “agreed to continue to work together to continue countering Iran’s malign behaviour”.

A Huthi military spokesperson reportedly indicated that the “the armed forces of Yemen are fully prepared to strike nine strategic targets deep inside the territory of the aggressors, of which six are located in Saudi Arabia and the rest are in the United Arab Emirates”.

A Huthi military spokesperson claimed that a “Badr-1P ballistic missile struck… a military camp for the Saudi army and its mercenaries in Najran”.

The Saudi foreign minister and the GCC secretary general signed a GCC Unified Military Command Headquarters Agreement in Riyadh.

Twitter announced that it had removed 5,929 accounts “for violating… platform manipulation policies”. “Rigorous investigations by our Site Integrity team have allowed us to attribute these accounts to a significant state-backed information operation on Twitter originating in Saudi Arabia”, the statement added.

In remarks at the Doha Forum, Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif called for “recognition of the imperative of a regional security and cooperation arrangement under the UN umbrella”, adding that “the Hormuz Peace Endeavour – or HOPE –  is a continuation of our longstanding commitment to an inclusive and comprehensive regional framework for constructive engagement”. He also noted that “like the nuclear accord, no good idea can be pursued by only one party… While everyone could have benefited from the paradigm shift that the JCPOA promised – as a foundation and not a ceiling – it cannot be expected from a single party to be forthcoming while others are pursuing an opposite path”.

The U.S. Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook, assessed that “because of the Iran nuclear deal we’ve been accumulating risk of a regional conflict — and what Iran did to Saudi Arabia on September 14 was an act of war”. He further noted that “modern terrorism has an asymmetric advantage over conventional deterrence… we know that because we have enhanced our force posture in the region, we’ve deterred and disrupted a lot of attacks. But the asymmetric advantage that any terrorist regime enjoys, it’s impossible to eliminate”. “We hope that we’ve put in place the sort of deterrence that will avoid another attack… we’re going to continue to enhance Saudi defences and our defences in the region to avoid it from happening again”, Hook added.

Referring to the 14 September attacks on Saudi oil facilities, the UN Secretary-General reported to the Security Council that “at this time, it [ie, the UN] is unable to independently corroborate that the cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles used in these attacks are of Iranian origin”, while also noting that Huthi forces “have not shown to be in possession, nor been assessed to be in possession”, of the materiel employed during the operation.

The GCC Supreme Council issued a communique expressing “its consistent positions and decisions regarding relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, stressing the need for Iran to adhere to the basic principles based on the Charter of the United Nations and the charters of international law, principles of good-neighbourliness, respect for the sovereignty of states, non-interference in internal affairs, and resolving disputes by peaceful means, not to use force or threaten to resort to force and reject sectarianism”. The council also “expressed its welcome and support for the steps taken by the U.S. to coerce the Iranian regime to stop its destabilising policy of security and stability and its support and sponsor terrorism around the world”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson consequently asserted that “the repetition of groundless allegations in that statement results from the political pressures from a few members of the council, which have made every effort during the past couple of decades to prevent promotion of multilateral cooperation… With their short-sightedness throughout these years, not only have they allowed for the plunder of the neighbouring countries’ wealth, but they have also paved the way for further interference from aliens in this delicate region”.

Addressing a GCC summit, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman remarked that “our region today is undergoing circumstances and challenges that call for concerted efforts to confront them, as the Iranian regime continues its hostile actions to undermine security and stability and support terrorism… [This] requires us to preserve the gains of our countries and the interests of our peoples, work with the international community to stop the interference of this regime, deal seriously with its nuclear program and the program to develop ballistic missiles and secure energy sources, safety of waterways and freedom of maritime navigation”.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister was cited as asserting that “the Iranian threat is a threat to everyone… There is an understanding by the GCC countries on the importance of dealing with the threat and confronting it in the necessary ways”. He also called on Iran to “change its behaviour in attacking ships in the Gulf, supplying militias with weapons, financing terrorism and destabilising countries”.

U.S. State Department announced that it had “designated Mohammad al-Otaibi, former Consul General of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul... for his involvement in gross violations of human rights”, adding that “the State Department continues to urge the Government of Saudi Arabia to conduct a full, fair and transparent trial for those responsible for Mr. [Jamal] Khashoggi’s death” in 2018.

A senior Huthi official indicated that “the [Huthi] Yemeni Armed Forces has completed all aspects of construction that qualify it for a comprehensive strategic attack that cripples the enemy's capabilities… [It] has a bank of naval and ground military targets for the Zionist enemy [ie, Israel], and we will not hesitate to hit it whenever the leadership decides”.

A senior Saudi official opined that “Iran is a threat to the entire region and its aggression can no longer be tolerated”. He also underlined that “nobody is talking about a regime change in Iran. The solution is to have a negotiating table and agree on a better JCPOA, stop of interference into other countries and behaviours towards terrorism”. On Yemen, the senior official stated that “Yemen is of particular importance to us, and Iran’s intervention there is devastating. The only solution in Yemen is political, and the Huthis are the ones who started the war, not us… All Yemenis, including the Huthis, have a role in the future of Yemen”.

Meeting with the Omani foreign minister in Tehran, President Rouhani remarked that “from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s point of view, there is no problem with expanding relations with neighbours and resuming ties with Saudi Arabia… All countries should stand beside each other to maintain security and stability in the region”. Referring to Iran’s Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE) proposal, Rouhani asserted that “we should maintain security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz through expanding cooperation and we should not let foreigners interfere”.

Meeting with the Omani foreign minister in Tehran, President Rouhani contended that “unfortunately, Europe and the U.S., despite what they say, are not interested in [the] establishment of peace in Yemen because they have been able to sell a great number of weapons”. He further asserted that "we should all attempt to put an end to the war in Yemen as soon as possible and establish stability and security in the country within the framework of Yemeni-Yemeni peace talks”.

A senior Indian official confirmed that Iran had repatriated three Indian fisherman whose Saudi-owned vessel had been detained in January 2019.

128 Huthi prisoners freed by the Saudi-led coalition arrived in Yemen, prompting a senior Huthi official to call it “a first practical step by the Saudis that builds trust”.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif remarked that “we believe that through a strong neighbourhood, we will be able to achieve our individual goals much easier and much better than individually… Iran is interested in maintaining the same type of relations that it has with its ECO (Economic Cooperation Organisation) partners and extending it to our partners in the Persian Gulf region”. “All of us”, he added, “will benefit from cooperation and all of us will suffer from competition, from conflict. from instability and from insecurity”. Discussing Iran’s Hormuz Peace Endeavour (HOPE) proposal, Zarif emphasised that “you cannot be secure if your neighbours are not. That is why we extended the hand of friendship that we have extended to our ECO partners to our partners in the Persian Gulf, hoping that the same type of arrangement that would lead to greater confidence in cooperation could also evolve through cooperation, through joint effort, and through joint thinking also in the Persian Gulf region”.

The Saudi-led coalition’s spokesperson indicated that the coalition had “decided… to release 200 prisoners of the Huthi militia”. A senior Huthi official subsequently reacted by saying that “we welcome the news of the release of 200 captives by the American-Saudi-UAE coalition and its allies and we call for a halt to torture and employing coercive measures against the captives”.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, visited Riyadh and met with his Saudi counterpart, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other officials.

A Saudi cabinet session “condemned continued violations and breaches by Iran of international conventions and treaties relating to its nuclear program, welcoming… the decision of the U.S. to end the exemption of Iran's Fordow nuclear facility from sanctions, stressing the need for the international community to take a firm and similar position towards Iran's violations because of the undermining of international peace and security”.

Discussing the 14 September attacks on Saudi oil facilities, a senior Saudi official indicated that “the results of the investigation will be revealed. What is absolutely clear is that these missiles and drones are Iranian-made, and the attack occurred from the north, not from the south. We hold Iran responsible for this. We expect the international community to take steps in order to extract the price from Iran”. He additionally posited that “the idea that perhaps engagement will cause the Iranians to change their behaviour has not worked in 40 years… The key to regional stability is deterrence”. “If Iran chooses to continue along its destructive path, sanctions should be increased, not reduced”, the official added. He also identified three principles by which Iran could, in his words, “become an accepted member of the international community”, namely: “abandon the principle of exporting the revolution, accept the sovereignty of nations and respect international law and the principle of non-interference in the affairs of other countries”.

Addressing the IAEA Board of Governors, Iran’s representative maintained that “Saudi Arabia, as a country with a very non-transparent nuclear program, while is a party to the NPT and has a bilateral Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) in force with the IAEA, regrettably it still has a so- called Small Quantities Protocol (SQP) in force that exempts the country from the obligation of hosting IAEA safeguards inspections”. He went on to add that “such irresponsible behavior of Saudi Arabia is also rewarded by the Trump administration under [a] transactional and profit-centered approach to foreign policy-making, which approved the transfer of nuclear know-how to Saudi Arabia seven times”.

Israel’s foreign minister contended that “now is the time for the world, led by the U.S., to have an effective military threat against the Iranian regime, if it will continue its nuclear program”. He added that “we will strike at whomever threatens us… That is what we have always done, and what we will continue to do in the future”. Commenting on the U.S. maximum pressure policy, the foreign minister indicated that “we see the demonstrations in Iraq, Lebanon and also in Iran, and it is clear that the pressure is working… the public in the Arab states and in Iran itself are rising against Iran’s brutal oppression”. He further underscored that “we have no conflict with the Gulf states, and we have common interests in the field of security against the Iranian threat”.

King Salman revealed that “the Kingdom was subject to attacks, in which 286 ballistic missiles and 289 drones were used”. He added that “the [September 2019] sabotage attacks on our oil facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais, in which Iranian weapons were used, showed the level of frustration reached by the Iranian regime, uniting the world in the face of this criminal aggression”.

President Trump informed congressional leaders that “to assure our partners, deter further Iranian provocative behaviour and bolster regional defensive capabilities, additional U.S. Armed Forces have been ordered to deploy to the Middle East”. He further explained that “additional forces ordered to deploy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia include radar and missile systems to improve defences against air and missile threats in the region, an air expeditionary wing to support the operation of U.S. fighter aircraft from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and two fighter squadrons”. “With these additional forces”, Trump added, “the total number of U.S. Armed Forces personnel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be approximately 3,000”.

The Huthis detained, and subsequently released, three vessels. Two of the ships were South Korean; the other was a Saudi tug.

During a visit to the UAE, a senior U.S. military official asserted that “here in the Gulf we face a common adversary [ie, Iran] that seems committed to malign behaviour across the region”, adding that “the reaction time for an Iranian ballistic missile attack to the northern most point in the Arabian Gulf is single digit minutes. And no one country has everything you need to defend itself”. The official went on to contend that “when a missile or a UAV is in route from Iran, can we agree that is not the time to start reconciling past grievances. That time is now, today… together have exactly what we need for collective defence”.  

The U.S. co-chaired a meeting of the Warsaw Process Working Group on Missile Proliferation in Romania. The group discussed “dangerous trends associated with the proliferation of missile-related goods and technologies in the Middle East and resulting contribution to regional instability”. Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and UAE were listed as having “contributed to the working group summary statement”.

Iranian President Rouhani claimed that “[a] strategic mistake in the world of Islam occurs when some consider Israel as their friend. It is very unfortunate that some Islamic countries that have to stand up for the interests of the world of Islam and their nation extended the hand of friendship towards the Zionist regime and even use its intelligence against the Muslim nations and the resistance movement”. “The problem is within us and we must reform within; we must solve the problems that they have created for us within the Muslim world”, Rouhani added, further asserting that “Israel and the U.S. are not anybody’s fiends but we are friends of the people of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain and the people of the region”.

Iran’s army chief maintained that “we need an interregional security and not false coalitions. It is time to drive foreign forces out of the region”. “The security in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf region can only be achieved through cooperation of the Persian Gulf littoral states… developments in recent years have shown that foreign powers cannot be reliable for regional countries”, he added.

The U.S. Department of State announced that “the U.S. hosted a Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA) General Conference”, attended by senior officials from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and other members of the alliance. According to the statement, “the conference included discussions on the situation in Syria, air defense in the Arabian Peninsula, and a summary of recent multilateral collaboration, including the development of a MESA Counterterrorism Strategy and the formation of the MESA political framework”.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asserted with respect to Iran that “we’ve denied them resources. We’ve been very effective at that. There’s still an awful lot of work to do. And we have, at the same time, tried to ensure that there was adequate level of deterrence, and we’ve seen that Iran is determined to inflict harm not only on its neighbours, but the world by taking down… five-plus per cent of world’s energy supply”. Pompeo added that “President Trump understands that the driver of instability in the Middle East is, in fact, the Islamic Republic of Iran…the U.S. and Israel are working together along with our friends in the Gulf, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, the Bahrainis and others to try our best to ensure that there’s adequate levels of deterrence [against Iran] and make sure that the Iranian leadership knows that we will not tolerate their continued creation of instability in the region”.

Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson emphasised that “the Islamic Republic has always highlighted the importance of dialogue and political talks as the only way to solve problems in the region and will use all its power to create atmosphere for talks among the regional countries”. He added that “Iran hopes that the regional countries would accept the Hormuz Peace Endeavour and start comprehensive regional talks to root out division and take practical steps in line with settling crises”.

President Rouhani assessed that “it was because of the pressure from the Zionist regime [ie, Israel] and the Saudi money, as they themselves said, that Trump was forced to withdraw from the [nuclear] deal… This indicates the importance of the JCPOA and that they saw it so dangerous for their own purposes”. Rouhani added that “Iran did not withdraw from the deal and waited a year and gave the other sides several opportunities, and today no one in the world can blame Iran for reducing its commitments”. “The path we have chosen”, he continued, “is resistance, steadfastness and reducing our JCPOA commitments alongside negotiating with the world… we have not abandoned the option of negotiation and we have not relied solely on it. We have agreed on the principles in the negotiation process now, but we have disagreements on how they should be implemented”.

The head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) determined that “with regard to the Persian Gulf littoral states, which have adopted a new approach to the use of nuclear technology, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready for scientific cooperation and transfer of experiences”. 

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Javad Zarif, asserted that “in keeping with Iran’s foreign policy that posits our neighbours should always come first, regional cooperation remains a priority”. “We hope this cooperation can be welcomed by neighbours to our south, too”, he added.

A senior Kuwaiti diplomat confirmed that his government had relayed Iranian messages on regional developments to Riyadh and Manama, though “until now no answers have emerged”.

Iran’s government spokesperson confirmed that “[President] Rouhani has sent letters to the Saudi king on peace in the region… the theme of the letters has been regional peace and stability”. He went on to indicate that “we believe that multiple bilateral ties could be shaped in the region, and the U.S. pressures should not cause a distance between the neighbours”.

The U.S. Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook, emphasised that “[Iran] would like to turn the Huthis into their proxy right on Saudi’s southern border so that they’re able to attack at will through the Houthis, Saudi Arabia, Israel, UAE”. Referring to the 14 September attacks against Saudi energy facilities, Hook stated that “it was a mistake for the Huthis [to claim credit]. I think they recognised it. They were embarrassed by it. They were surprised by it. So we’ll use this opening to press our advantage. And that’s why I think we’re seeing some positive developments in Yemen”.

A Huthi military spokesperson claimed that the Huthis had shot down a U.S. drone in Asir province.

A Iranian official revealed that “thanks to the negotiations by the Iranian foreign ministry with Saudi officials, [19] fishermen [detained by Saudi Arabia]… are on their way back home”.

The U.S., Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and four other members of the Terrorist Financing and Targeting Center (TFTC) announced sanctions designations against “25 targets affiliated with the Iranian regime’s terror-support networks in the region”. According to the Treasury Department, the designation was “focussed on entities supporting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s regional proxy, Hizbollah”. Secretary Mnuchin commented that “this action demonstrates the unified position of the Gulf nations and the U.S. that Iran will not be allowed to escalate its malign activity in the region”.  

A senior Saudi official reiterated that “we think that appeasement doesn’t work [with Iran]. Actions count, not words. Members of the Iranian government talk, but have no power. Those who have, like the Revolutionary Guards, don’t want to negotiate”. “As far as we’re concerned”, he added, “maximum pressure is the only way”.

In an unannounced visit to Saudi Arabia, U.S. Defence Secretary Mark Esper met with King Salman and  the Saudi deputy defence minister. During the visit, responding to a question on the deployment of additional U.S. forces to Saudi Arabia, Secretary Esper told reporters that “there are three tasks here: first, help the Saudis defend themselves against Iran; secondly, deter Iranian bad behaviour; and third, hold up the international rules-based order”. He further added that “the fact that the Saudis are going to underwrite that is something that we expect of all of our partners and allies, whether it's Asia or Europe, is to help share the cost, share the burden of either housing, hosting our troops on their land or supporting them in deployments, whatever the case may be”. On Syria, responding to a question on the future of the U.S. forces withdrawn from Syria to Iraq, Secretary Esper stated that “eventually, their destination is home.”

In remarks to the meeting at the Security and Defence Conference of GCC chiefs of staff and other countries including the U.S., Germany and France, a senior Saudi military official maintained that “today’s meeting aims to find appropriate ways for joint military cooperation to ensure the protection of vital and sensitive facilities, as the region continues to suffer from ongoing crises since the time the regime came to power following (1979) revolution in Iran, which aims to export the revolution to other countries, in contradiction with international conventions and treaties”. He further accused Iran of “spreading chaos by using religious sectarianism to serve political objectives, adopting and supporting loyal armed groups and forming parties and militias that contribute to destabilizing security and stability in several countries in the region”.

A senior Saudi official indicated that Saudi Arabia is “convinced through evidence it has that Iran is involved in the Aramco attacks” and “the missiles that had hit the Saudi oil facilities were Iranian”.

A senior U.S. diplomat met with the President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and other officials in the international recognised government of Yemen in Riyadh. The U.S. official “reaffirmed U.S. support for the unity of Yemen” and “stressed that a political solution is the only path to a peaceful, prosperous, stable and unified Yemen”. 

In Riyadh, a senior State Department official met with senior Saudi officials and highlighted the “shared commitment to work with regional partners to counter Iran’s malign influence, and promote security and stability throughout the region”.

President Rouhani contended that “what happened in the Red Sea when our tanker was targeted [on 11 October] has caused problems that hopefully our investigations will soon reach a conclusion. What is certain is that a regime has done this with the help of some countries, how and when is not clear yet and we are finalising the investigations”.

President Rouhani stated that “we have no problem with the resolution of regional problems with regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, through dialogue”, further noting that “relations between Tehran and the UAE have been better in recent months, and the trend is towards better relations”.

Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson asserted that Iran “is always ready, with or without a mediator, to hold talks with its neighbours, including Saudi Arabia, so that if there is any misunderstanding, it could be cleared”.

The Pentagon announced “the deployment of additional U.S. forces and …two fighter squadrons, one Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW), two Patriot batteries and one Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system (THAAD)” to Saudi Arabia, noting that “taken together with other deployments this constitutes an additional 3,000 forces that have been extended or authorised within the last month”. Secretary of Defense Esper stated that “Saudi Arabia has asked for additional support to supplement their own defences and defend the international rules-based order”, adding that “we thought it was important to continue to deploy forces to deter and defend, and to send the message to the Iranians: do not strike another sovereign state, do not threaten American interests, American forces, or we will respond… do not mistake our restraint for weakness. If you will, you will regret that”. Secretary of State Pompeo also noted that “the Iranian regime must fundamentally change its behaviour and act like a normal nation. Or it can watch its economy collapse”. Commenting on the deployments, President Trump indicated that “Saudi Arabia, at my request, has agreed to pay us for everything we’re doing”.

Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson confirmed that an “Iranian tanker has sustained damages after being targeted twice, at half-hourly intervals, from a place near its shipping route in the east of the Red Sea” on 10 October. He also indicated that “over the past few months, other acts of sabotage have been launched against Iranian oil tankers in the Red Sea”. Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani asserted that “piracy and evil deeds in international waterways, which are carried out with the aim of making commercial ships’ sailing insecure, will not go unanswered”. A senior Saudi official on 13 October disavowed any involvement, stating that “we did not engage in such behaviour at all. This is not how we operate… the story is still not complete. So let’s wait and find out what happened before we jump to conclusions”.

U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo and Saudi Deputy Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman spoke about “the importance of bilateral cooperation to confront the Iranian regime’s continued destabilising activities in the region”, with Pompeo affirming “that Saudi Arabia has every right to defend itself and its borders”.

Referring to 14 September attacks on Saudi oil facilities, Saudi Aramco's Chief Executive contended that “an absence of international resolve to take concrete action may embolden the attackers and indeed put the world's energy security at greater risk

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif stated that “in a situation where the Saudis would like to negotiate with Iran, if they pursue regional issues at the negotiating table and not by killing people, they will certainly have the Islamic Republic along with them”.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced that “recently I have been promoting, with the backing of the prime minister, a diplomatic initiative to sign ‘non-aggression agreements’ with the Arab Gulf states… it’s a historic move that will end the conflict and enable civilian cooperation until the signing of peace agreements”.

A senior U.S. military official assessed with respect to the Iranians that “I don’t believe that they’re drawing back at all” since the 14 September attack against Saudi energy facilities, which he asserted was carried out to “send a signal and harass and provoke”. Referring to U.S.-led maritime security operations, the official indicated that “what [Operation] Sentinel seeks to do is shine a flashlight across that and make sure that if anything happens in the maritime, they will be exposed for that activity… we’ve created essentially a zone defence”.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that two Huthi ballistic missiles landed inside Yemeni territory.

Senior Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) military officials met in Riyadh, and in a joint statement “affirmed the readiness of the armed forces of all GCC countries to confront and deal with any threats or terrorist attacks”. They further “condemned the attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s oil tankers and the threat of free navigation, confirming their support for the efforts of the Kingdom and the GCC countries in confronting any threat or aggression against them”.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif stated that "we have always said that we seek understanding with our neighbours. We are not seeking tension. If the Saudi government arrives at the conclusion that it can't achieve security by buying weapons and relinquishing its sovereignty to others in the process, it will be surely welcomed with open arms by Iran".  

Iran's military chief of staff indicated that Iran was providing the Huthis "advisory and intellectual assistance and the IRGC is in charge of this". He also asserted that "we will stand by the Yemeni people until they completely ward off the aggressions". 

An Iranian official indicated that the Saudis “have sent messages to Mr. Rouhani through a head of state… we must see signs of it [goodwill] without any ambiguity, and the first sign of it is to stop the aggression against Yemen and put an end to the massacre of Yemenis”. He added that “if they genuinely sought to change their behaviour, we would welcome that”. A senior Saudi official subsequently indicated that "the Kingdom did not and will not talk with the Iranians. Yemen is the affair of the Yemenis... and the reason behind the Yemeni crisis is the Iranian destabilising role of its stability and disruptive role in the political efforts". He also contended that Iran "provides its followers with weapons and missiles targeting the sons of Yemen and the security of the Kingdom and the countries of the region as part of the approach of this expansionist regime seeking to impose its control on Arab countries through its militias". He additionally advised Iran to "stop your support for terrorism, policies of chaos and destruction, interference in the internal affairs of Arab states, development of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile program. Act like a normal state and not a rogue one supporting terrorism". 

Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi stated that “nobody possesses the weapons necessary to deal their adversary a fatal blow. Chaos and destruction will hit the region in its entirety”. He went on to say that “everybody is open to dialogue. Iran says [it is] willing to negotiate if sanctions are lifted; the U.S. [also] asks for dialogue ... neither does Saudi Arabia close the door for dialogue”. He also indicated that “there are many countries, and Iraq is one of them, that can offer a solution or a place for a solution to be found”.

Following Huthi claims of capturing “thousands” of troops from the Saudi-led coalition in an operation in Najran, the coalition’s spokesperson asserted that “it is definitely fabricated. They are making up events and trying to influence the popular opinion in Yemen, the region and the world”.

Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson announced that “Iran welcomes the Yemeni National Salvation Government’s proposal and considers it to be in favour of the establishment of stability and security in the region”. He went on to say that “sadly, Saudi Arabia is still seeking to fan the flames and continues to bombard different parts of Yemen” and called on “the Saudi government to accept this offer”.

A senior U.S. naval official was in Riyadh for discussions with Saudi counterparts on "our mutual efforts going forward to coordinate defence against provocation and attack". 

A senior IRGC official asserted that “Yemen’s deterrent power in the face of enemies has become clear after the reactions to Al Saud’s attacks, and the enemies are also mindful that they will be harmed if they take any action against that country”.

In his address to the UN General Assembly, Bahrain’s foreign minister remarked that “the adoption of the Iranian regime of transitional terrorism has created networks of terrorist organisations and extremist militias, located in many places and different parts of the world such as Syria, Yemen, North Africa, the countries of the Sahara and the Sahel, South America and others. This requires us to intensify our efforts and enhance collective cooperation in order to eliminate them and prevent their return in any form”. He also applauded “the decisive course taken by the friendly U.S. in confronting Iran and its affiliates in the region, through exerting maximum pressure and imposing strict sanctions”. He went on to assert that “global energy supplies and maritime navigation in the waters of the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the region as a whole are severely threatened by the behaviour of the Iranian regime and its frequent targeting of commercial vessels in the region”, adding condemnation of the 14 September attacks on Saudi energy facilities “which Iran bears responsibility for”.  

The Pentagon announced the deployment of “one Patriot battery, four Sentinel radars [and] approximately 200 support personnel” to Saudi Arabia to “augment the kingdom's air and missile defence of critical military and civilian infrastructure”. The department’s spokesperson commented that “other countries have called out Iranian misadventures in the region, and we look for them to contribute assets in an international effort to reinforce Saudi Arabia’s defence”.

Referring to the 14 September attacks against Saudi energy facilities, U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo argued that Iran “took an act clearly, highly attributable. They had to know that the world would determine that it was them that conducted this strike. They didn’t use their usual method of trying to obscure this through use of a proxy force”. He added that “they had to know it was the case that the world would rally against them, and yet they still chose to do it”.

President Rouhani remarked that “the Yemeni people have a right to self-defence and they have to defend themselves, and the whole world knows that the Yemeni forces and the Yemeni army have both long-range missiles and drones”. Rouhani went on to “urge the U.S., France, Britain and Germany, who are constantly giving arms to Saudi Arabia and the Emirates to kill the Yemeni people, to stop sending weapons and to pressurise Saudi Arabia and the UAE for peace”.

IRGC Commander Hossein Salami argued that “our power is such that when a group like Ansar Allah carries out an operation, the enemy thinks it has been done by us”. He added that the Huthis were “a mutated branch of the revolution…They are an accumulated source of power that, if released, will change the whole battlefield and the enemy knows this reality”.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman argued that the 14 September attacks against Saudi energy facilities “didn’t hit the heart of the Saudi energy industry, but rather the heart of the global energy industry”, adding that the Iranians carried out the operation because of “stupidity. There is no strategic goal… the only strategic goal is to prove that they are stupid and that is what they did”. Bin Salman also stated that “if the world does not take a strong and firm action to deter Iran, we will see further escalations that will threaten world interests. Oil supplies will be disrupted and oil prices will jump to unimaginably high numbers that we haven't seen in our lifetimes”. Bin Salman also posited that a “political and peaceful solution is much better than the military one”, while asserting that “it is the Iranians who don’t want to sit at the table” with President Trump. On Yemen, Bin Salman stated that “if Iran stops its support of the Huthi militia, the political solution will be much easier”.

A senior Saudi official contended that “we are certain it [the 14 September attack on Saudi energy facilities] came from the north. Once the investigation is complete, we will make the announcements and we will pin the blame. But we believe Iran is responsible because these were Iranian weapons”. He went on to say that “our position is we have to be firm with Iran. We have to come up with options on how we increase the pressure on the Iranians. You have a whole list of potential options: diplomatic, economic and military”. The official added that “the Iranians are warmongering, not us. The Iranians are the ones who launched 260 ballistic missiles on Saudi Arabia and more than 150 drones. We did not launch any ballistic missiles, any drones. We did not plant any terrorist cells in Iran and we didn’t even fire one bullet in the direction of Iran… so we’re on the receiving end”.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted three Huthi missiles inside the Yemeni airspace.

Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers reiterated that “the international community has a great responsibility to put an end to Iranian acts of aggression and sabotage policies, pointing out that the [14 September] sabotage attack on the oil facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais, and the use of Iranian weapons in it is a threat to international peace and security and an unjustified aggression on energy supplies to world markets”.

Referring to the 14 September attacks against Saudi energy facilities, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that “very simply: Iran did it. A to Z”.  He added that “Israel will know to defend itself against this type of aggression. And we call on all members of the international community to join President Trump's effort to increase the pressure on Iran. That's the only way to stop Iran's aggression”.

In a statement, France, Germany, and the UK jointly “condemn[ed] in the strongest terms the attacks on oil facilities on Saudi territory on September 14th, 2019 in Abqaiq and Khurais”. They further declared that “it is clear to us that Iran bears responsibility for this attack. There is no other plausible explanation. We support ongoing investigations to establish further details”. The E3 also urged Iran “to reverse its decisions to reduce compliance with the deal and to adhere fully to its commitments under it”. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif responded that the “E3's paralysis in fulfilling their obligations without U.S. permission has been clear since May 2018”. He added that the “solution to this deficiency is mustering will to forge an independent path—not parroting absurd U.S. claims and requests inconsistent with the JCPOA”. Zarif went on to posit that there would be “no new deal before compliance with the current one”. In a statement, Iran’s foreign ministry contended that “attributing the responsibility to the third government for an attack carried out in the course of a full-scale war between the Saudi and Yemeni sides is per se a provocative and extremely destructive move”. U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo responded by saying that “the U.S. thanks our close friends, UK, France, and Germany, for their clear articulation of Iran’s sole responsibility for the act of war against Saudi Arabia and its impact on the region and the world… this will strengthen diplomacy and the cause of peace”.

Foreign Minister Zarif described the U.S. decision to bolster its forces in Saudi Arabia as “posturing”, and added that he was “confident that Iran did not play a role” in the 14 September attacks against Saudi energy facilities. Zarif also noted in passing that “the Israelis are attacking parts of [the] Iraqi military”. He went on to state that “we’re ready to talk [with President Trump]… we need to talk about something that is permanent. That would last”. Zarif additionally warned that “I’m not confident that we can avoid a war… I’m confident that we will not start one but I’m confident that whoever starts one will not be the one who finishes it”.

Secretary of State Pompeo asserted that the 14 September attack against Saudi energy facilities “was an attack by Iran on the world. This was an act of war”. He went on state that “apparently, the Iranians are bloodthirsty and looking for war. President Trump and I, we’re looking for a diplomatic resolution to this… but make no mistake about it: we’re prepared to do the things we need to do to try to deter Iran from this kind of behaviour”. Pompeo added that sanctions “will deny them the resources to foment the exact kind of strikes that we have seen over this past summer”, and also contended that the Iranian people “will demand that their leadership behave in a way that reflects the great history of this place”.

Foreign Minister Zarif argued that “since the Saudi regime has blamed Iran – baseless as that is – for the [14 September] attacks on its oil facilities, curious that they retaliated against Hodeida in Yemen today—breaking a UN ceasefire. It is clear that even the Saudis themselves don't believe the fiction of Iranian involvement”.

U.S. Secretary of Defence Mark Esper asserted that “in recent months, Iran has increased its military activity through direct attacks and support to its proxies in the region”, adding that “all indications are that Iran was responsible for the attack” against Saudi energy facilities on 14 September. Esper announced that “in response to the Kingdom [of Saudi Arabia’s] request, the president has approved the deployment of U.S. forces, which will be defensive in nature and primarily focussed on air and missile defence. We will also work to accelerate the delivery of military equipment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE to enhance their ability to defend themselves”.

Hizbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah remarked that “Saudi Arabia is highly advised to stop the war on Yemen instead of seeking to purchase advanced air defence missile systems. All costly weapons purchased [from] the U.S. cannot protect you from [Huthi] drone attacks”. Nasrallah added that “a military aggression on Iran will never be to the benefit of Saudi Arabia and the UAE”.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif warned that a clash between Iran and the U.S. or Saudi Arabia would result in “all-out war”. Zarif added that “we don’t want war, we don’t want to engage in a military confrontation… but we won’t blink to defend our territory”.

The Saudi-led coalition said it had foiled “an attempt by Iran-affiliated Huthi terrorist militias to carry out an imminent hostile and terrorist act in the south of [the] Red Sea by using a remote-controlled booby-trapped boat”.

On a trip Saudi Arabia and the UAE following the 14 September attack on Saudi energy facilities, Secretary of State Pompeo declared that “it’s abundantly clear and there is an enormous consensus in the region that we know precisely who conducted these attacks. It was Iran. I didn’t hear anybody in the region who doubted that for a single moment”. He also indicated that “we’re here to build out a coalition aimed at achieving peace and a peaceful resolution to this”, adding that “there will be more sanctions. We have set about a course of action to deny Iran the capacity and the wealth… to prevent them from conducting their terror campaigns. And you can see from the events of last week there’s still more work to do”.

Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA)  members convened in Washington and “condemn[ed] in the strongest terms the attack on the Aramco oil facilities in Saudi Arabia on September 14 which sought to disrupt oil markets and regional stability”.

The Saudi-led coalition’s spokesperson announced that the 14 September attack on Saudi oil facilities “was launched from the north and unquestionably sponsored by Iran. We are working to know the exact launch point”. He added that the attack “did not originate from Yemen despite Iran's best efforts to make it appear so”.

U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo remarked that the 14 September attack on Saudi energy facilities “didn’t come from the Huthis…This was an Iranian attack. It’s not the case that you can subcontract out the devastation of five per cent of the world’s global energy supply and think that you can absolve yourself of responsibilities”. Pompeo also indicated that “we are working to build out a coalition to develop a plan to deter” Iran. He went on to assert that “some suggest that the President’s strategy that we allowed isn’t working. I would argue just the converse of that. I would argue that what you are seeing here is a direct result of us reversing the enormous failure of the JCPOA”. Pompeo added that “55 weeks from now, the whole world can sell exactly these missile systems, conventional missile systems to the Iranian government unencumbered by any sanctions… they’d have more complex ones but for the sanctions we put in place”. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif seized on Pompeo’s characterisation of the 14 September attack as an “act of war” to posit “’act of war’ or agitation for war? Remnants of the B-Team (and ambitious allies) try to deceive President Trump into war”. Zarif also suggested “seizing [the] opportunity to end disaster in Yemen – not widening it”.

U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discussed “the unprecedented attacks against Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure” on 14 September. Pompeo stated that “the U.S. stands with Saudi Arabia and supports its right to defend itself. The Iranian regime’s threatening behaviour will not be tolerated”.

President Rouhani suggested that “the Yemeni nation was not the source of the conflict but it was Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the Americans, some European countries and the Zionist regime [i.e. Israel] that began the war and destroyed Yemen”. He also contended, referring to the 14 September attack against Saudi energy facilities, that “the Yemenis did not target a school, hospital or market, but they attacked an industrial centre to warn their enemies”. “Iran”, Rouhani added, “has never started to cut ties and disrupt relations, and if even those who have cut ties step forward, we would like to have good relations with all the nations of the region and with our neighbours”. In related remarks, Defence Minister Amir Hatami stated that “a clash has occurred between two countries. One side of the clash are the Yemenis, who have announced explicitly that they have done the job”.

Saudi Arabia signed on the U.S.-led International Maritime Security Construct.

Vice President Pence asserted that following the 14 September “unprovoked attack on several oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, I promise you: We’re ready… we’re locked and loaded. And we’re ready to defend our interests and our allies in the region”. Pence added that “our maximum pressure campaign against the Iranian regime is working. But know this: if Iran conducted this latest attack to pressure President Trump to back off, they will fail. America is ready to defend our interests”.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Zarif argued that the “U.S. is in denial if it thinks that Yemeni victims of 4.5 years of the worst war crimes wouldn't do all to strike back. Perhaps it's embarrassed that $100s of billions of its arms didn't intercept Yemeni fire”. He added that “blaming Iran won't change that. Ending the war is the only solution for all”. Zarif further stated that “the U.S. isn’t upset when its allies mercilessly bomb babies in Yemen for over four years—with its arms and its military assistance. But it is terribly upset when the victims react the only way they can—against the aggressor's oil refineries”.

Asked about Iran’s possible involvement in 14 September attacks on Saudi oil facilities, U.S. President Trump replied that “we’re having some very strong studies done, but it’s certainly looking that way at this moment… we have a lot of options, but I’m not looking at options right now. We want to find definitively who did this”. He also asserted that “the Saudis want very much for us to protect them, but I say, well, we have to work. That was an attack on Saudi Arabia, and that wasn’t an attack on us. But we would certainly help them”. The Iranians, Trump indicated, “want to meet”, adding that “the sanctions are not going to be taken off”.  

In a statement on the 14 September attacks against Aramco facilities, the Saudi government said that “initial investigations have indicated that the weapons used in the attack were Iranian weapons”, adding that “investigations are still ongoing to determine the source of the attack”.

In a statement on the 14 September attacks against Aramco facilities, the Saudi government said that “initial investigations have indicated that the weapons used in the attack were Iranian weapons”, adding that “investigations are still ongoing to determine the source of the attack”.

Commenting on the 14 September attack against Saudi energy facilities, President Rouhani stated that “this problem has its roots in the Yemeni invasion. We must ask those who invaded Yemen and are bombing it daily why they did it… they have destroyed Yemen and killed a large number of Yemenis, and the Yemeni people have to respond to this [sic] many acts of aggression and guns coming from the U.S. and Europe to Saudi Arabia and the UAE".

President Trump asserted that “Saudi Arabia oil supply was attacked. There is reason to believe that we know the culprit, are locked and loaded depending on verification, but are waiting to hear from the Kingdom as to who they believe was the cause of this attack, and under what terms we would proceed!” In a subsequent tweet, Trump maintained that “the Fake News is saying that I am willing to meet with Iran, ‘No Conditions’. That is an incorrect statement (as usual!)”

The Saudi government confirmed that “several explosions occurred as a result of terrorist attacks in Saudi Aramco plants in Khurais and Abqaiq… according to preliminary estimates, these explosions led to the interruption of a quantity of crude oil supplies estimated at 5.7 million barrels, or about 50 per cent of the company’s production”. The Huthis took responsibility for the operation, which they claimed was carried out using “tens of drones”. President Trump subsequently spoke to Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and, according to a Saudi readout of the conversation, “reasserted his country’s readiness to cooperate with the Kingdom, by all means conducive to maintain its security and stability”. U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo stated that “Tehran is behind nearly 100 attacks on Saudi Arabia while Rouhani and Zarif pretend to engage in diplomacy. Amid all the calls for de-escalation, Iran has now launched an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply. There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen”. He further called on “all nations to publicly and unequivocally condemn Iran’s attacks. The U.S. will work with our partners and allies to ensure that energy markets remain well supplied and Iran is held accountable for its aggression”. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif responded saying that “having failed at ‘maximum pressure’, Secretary Pompeo is turning to ‘max deceit’”.

The Arab Quartet Ministerial Committee for Follow-up of the Crisis with Iran and Response to its Interventions in Arab Internal Affairs, chaired by the UAE and including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the Secretary-General of the Arab League, “condemned Iran's continued support for terrorist and subversive acts in the Arab countries, including the continued firing of Iranian-made ballistic missiles from Yemeni territory into populated cities in the Kingdom”. It also denounced remarks by Hizbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s as “intended to provoke sedition and incite hatred; and which is an extension of the dangerous role of this terrorist party, which is considered as one of the arms of Iran aiming to destabilise the security and stability in the region”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson responded that “the rehash of groundless accusations against [Iran’s] eternal ownership of its three islands in the Persian Gulf and the blame game by some Arab countries whose regional policies have failed are… the reason behind their failure to understand the realities of the region and the world”. He went on to say that “it is regrettable that some, instead of relying on the power of Persian Gulf states, make divergent, unfounded and undocumented allegations about the security of the region and welcome foreigners with their desperation”.

Saudi Arabia downed a Huthi drone reportedly bound for Najran.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Huthi drone reportedly bound for Saudi Arabi.

The U.S. Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook, argued that “Iran is using Yemen to increase its status as a regional power… Iran has provided the Huthis with hundreds of millions of dollars and an arsenal of advanced weaponry”. “Iran’s strategic alliance with the Huthis”, Hook wrote, “allows them to target Gulf nations at will with missile and UAV attacks, and to inspire, organise, and direct militant separatist groups in Saudi Arabia’s provinces”. He also posited that Iran’s “alliance with the Huthis now allows Iran to threaten ship traffic in the Bab al-Mandab strait”, and indicated that “newly declassified information shows that Hizbollah is actively supporting the Huthi cause in Yemen, bringing Iran’s proxy network full circle”. Hook went on to underscore that “the Trump administration is focused on reversing Iran’s strategic gains in the region as part of the ‘maximum pressure’ campaign”, and contended that “the Huthis have little gain and a lot to lose by continuing their partnership with Iran”.

Saudi Arabia downed a Huthi ballistic missile reportedly bound for Najran.

Saudi Arabia downed a ballistic missile reportedly bound for Najran, and intercepted a Huthi drone it said was bound for Khamis Mushait.

Saudi Arabia downed a trio of ballistic missiles in Najran and intercepted two Huthi drones, one of which was reportedly bound for Khamis Mushait.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Huthi drone reportedly bound for Saudi Arabi.

U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo met with Saudi Deputy Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman and “reiterated U.S. support for a negotiated resolution between the Republic of Yemen government and the Southern Transitional Council”. They additionally discussed “the need for stronger maritime security in order to promote freedom of navigation [and] the Iranian regime’s destabilising activities in the region”.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted two Huthi drones, one inside Yemeni airspace and the second reportedly bound for Khamis Mushait. The coalition also asserted that a ballistic missile fired by the Huthis had landed within Yemen.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Huthi drone reportedly bound for Saudi Arabi.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted two Huthi drones inside Yemeni airspace.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted six ballistic missiles purportedly bound for Jizan.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Huthi drone reportedly bound for Khamis Mushait.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted Huthi drones reportedly bound for Khamis Mushait and Jizan.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted two Huthi drones reportedly bound for Khamis Mushait.

A senior Saudi official confirmed that “a processing unit of Shaybah’s natural gas plant was targeted by explosive-laden [Huthi] drones, resulting in a limited fire”.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Huthi drone inside Yemeni airspace.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Huthi drone reportedly bound for Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Huthi drone reportedly bound for Khamis Mushait.

Secretary of State Pompeo spoke by phone with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discussed “maritime security, Yemen, countering the Iranian regime’s destabilising activity and human rights”.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Huthi drone reportedly bound for Jizan.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Huthi drone reportedly bound for Abha.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted two Huthi drones reportedly bound for Khamis Mushait.

Reacting to a Huthi attack on a military parade in Aden, the Saudi ambassador to Yemen stated that “the synchronised targeting by the terrorist Iran-backed Huthis and its terrorist sister groups ISIS and AQAP of the security and stability of the interim capital Aden proves their unity of objective: bloodshed and non-recognition of State, laws and inviolability of man”.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif stated that “we have always expressed our interest in communication with neighboring states. But it’s only possible when they give up interference in domestic affairs of other countries”. He added that “if Saudi Arabia is ready for talks, we are ready as well. We have never closed the door of negotiation with our neighbors and won’t do so”.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Huthi drone reportedly bound for Khamis Mushait.

Referring to the recent incidents, Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers stated that “any infringement on the freedom of international maritime navigation is considered a violation of the international law, and the international community must take the necessary action to reject and deter it”.

The Saudi-led coalition reportedly intercepted multiple Huthi drones bound for Asir.

Saudi Arabia’s minister of state for foreign affairs, Adel al-Jubeir, stated that  “any attack on the freedom of navigation is a violation of international law. Iran must realize that its acts of intercepting ships, including most recently the British ship, are completely unacceptable”. He further asserted that “the world community must take actions to deter such behaviour”.

Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson announced that “Iran appreciates efforts by the authorities of Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Oman to secure the safe return of Iran’s Happiness 1 oil tanker”.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Huthi drone reportedly bound for Abha.

U.S. Central Command announced and Saudi Arabia confirmed that “in coordination with and at the invitation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Secretary of Defense has authorized the movement of U.S. personnel and resources to deploy to Saudi Arabia”.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Huthi drone reportedly bound for Jizan.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted three Huthi drones reportedly bound for Jizan and Abha.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Huthi drone reportedly bound for Khamis Mushait and downed another inside Yemen’s airspace.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Huthi drone reportedly bound for Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that “the Huthis attempted to attack a commercial ship south of the Red Sea using a booby-trapped boat with explosives”.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted drones purportedly bound for an airport in Jizan.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei remarked that “Hajj is a political act and this political act is identically a religious obligation. That they prohibit such political acts is itself a political move, but an anti-religious one. That they say you have no right to talk against the U.S. is a Satanic political act”. He further said that “the Saudi government bears major responsibilities. Among their responsibilities is providing security for the pilgrims but they should not create a security atmosphere”.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that a Huthi attack against Abha airport injured nine civilians. The U.S. State Department's spokesperson, Morgan Ortagus, condemned the attack and asserted that “we stand firmly with our Saudi partners in defending their borders against these continued threats by the Huthis, who rely on Iranian-made weapons and technology to carry out such attacks”.

Saudi Arabia downed a Huthi drone reportedly bound for Saudi Arabia within Yemen’s airspace.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted two Huthi drones; one was reportedly bound for Jizan while the second was said to have been bound for Asir.

The Saudi-led coalition downed a Huthi drone, said to be bound for Saudi Arabia, inside Yemeni airspace.  

The U.S., Saudi Arabia, the UK and the UAE released a joint statement conveying “concern over escalating tensions in the region and the dangers posed by Iranian destabilising activity to peace and security both in Yemen and the broader region”. The statement went on to “call on Iran to halt any further actions which threaten regional stability, and urge diplomatic solutions to de-escalate tensions”.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that a Huthi attack on Abha International Airport left one killed and seven injured. Secretary of State Pompeo condemned the attack and contended that “some want to portray the Yemen conflict as an isolated civil war, without a clear aggressor. It is neither. It is spreading conflict and humanitarian disaster that was conceived of and perpetuated by the Islamic Republic of Iran… With every attack conducted by an Iranian proxy, the regime tacks another day onto its forty-year track record of spreading death and chaos in the region, and beyond”. He went on to reiterate that “we will continue our pressure campaign until Iran stops its torrent of violence and meets diplomacy with diplomacy”.

In Riyadh, the U.S. special representative for Iran, Brian Hook, stated that “Iran’s efforts to use surrogates to attack Saudi Arabia and destabilise the region needs to be countered”. He added that “our diplomacy does not give Iran the right to respond with military force, Iran needs to meet our diplomacy with diplomacy and not military force… it’s important we do everything we can do de-escalate”. Saudi Vice Minister of Defence, Khalid bin Salman, reiterated his government’s “support for the U.S. maximum pressure campaign on Iran, which came as a result of continuing Iranian hostility and terrorism”, also underlining “the dangerous role that the Iranian regime plays in Yemen”.

The Saudi-led coalition announced that a projectile fired by the Huthis hit a desalination plant in Jizan, causing no casualties or damage.  

Saudi media reported that “Iranian experts and other Huthi militants were killed during a failed attempt to launch a ballistic missile” in Sanaa.

Saudi Arabia intercepted two Huthi drones; one was reportedly bound for Abha while the second was downed before it entered Saudi airspace.

Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman declared that Saudi Arabia "does not want a war in the region, but we will not hesitate in dealing with any threat against our people, sovereignty and vital interests". He went on to state that "Iran's recklessness has reached unprecedented levels", adding that "Iran must choose between becoming a normal country that plays a constructive role in the international community or remain a rogue state and assume the international consequences of its choice". Bin Salman also stressed that "the Huthi militias prioritise Iran's agenda over the interests of Yemen and its people", arguing that attacks against the Kingdom "reflect the priorities of Tehran, not Sanaa". 

Saudi Arabia downed a Huthi drone bound for Abha. 

Saudi Arabia announced that its military had "successfully intercepted and destroyed five unmanned drone aircraft launched by Huthi militia towards Abha International Airport and Khamis Mushait". 

Following Secretary of State Pompeo's assertion that "Iran is responsible for the attacks that occurred in the Gulf of Oman today", a senior Saudi official indicated that "we have no reason to disagree... Iran has a history of doing this". 

Appearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, a senior State Department official explained that Secretary Pompeo's 24 May emergency notification on arms sales was spurred by "the significant increase in the intelligence threat streams related to Iran; the clear, provocative and damaging actions taken by Iran's government; and the need to respond to military capability requests from our partners". He also offered his endorsement of the CENTCOM commander's assessment describing "the threats posed by Iran as clear, compelling, very real and possibly imminent". 

The Saudi-led coalition announced that "a hostile projectile fired by the Huthi militia hit the arrivals hall at Abha International Airport", injuring 26. 

Saudi Arabia shot down a pair of Huthi drones reportedly bound for Khamis Mushait. 

In a briefing to the UN Security Council regarding the 12 May tanker incident, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Norway assessed that "the four attacks were part of a sophisticated and coordinated operation carried out by an actor with significant operational capacity, most likely a state actor". The Saudi envoy subsequently asserted that "the responsibility for this action lies on the shoulders of Iran. We have no hesitation in making this statement". 

Following a request by Iran, the Saudi-led coalition evacuated a stricken sailor from an Iranian vessel off the Yemeni coast. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif contended that "Western publics and legislatures demand an end to the humanitarian disaster that is the Saudi-Emirati war on Yemen. But their governments provide ever more weapons used to perpetuate war crimes". "Time and again", Zarif added, "our offers of a political way out have been rebuffed. This evil cycle must stop". 

As Saudi Arabia hosted summits of the OIC, GCC and the Arab League, Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson contended that “we deem the Saudi efforts to mobilise the views of neighbouring and Arab countries a continuation of the indecisive process that the U.S. and the Zionist regime [i.e. Israel] are pursuing against the Islamic Republic of Iran”. He further stressed that “Saudi Arabia took political and instrumental advantage of the auspicious month of Ramadan and the holy city of Mecca to make accusations against the Islamic Iran from the mouth of some participants in the conference”.

Backing Bolton’s claims that Iran was behind the 12 May Fujairah incident, Secretary Pompeo insisted that “these were efforts by the Iranians to raise the price of crude oil throughout the world”.

An Arab League communique criticised “the continuing Iranian interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, supporting terrorism, training terrorists, smuggling arms and explosives, and inciting sectarian strife to destabilise security, order and stability”.

The Arab League held an extraordinary summit in Mecca convened by King Salman “to discuss the serious repercussions” of the 12 May tanker incident off the UAE coast and 14 May drone attack against a Saudi pipeline. A final communique suggested that Iranian actions “directly and dangerously threaten the security and stability in the region”, and urged “the international community to take a firm stand against Iran and its destabilizing activities in the region”.

The GCC Supreme Council issued a communique highlighting “the need that Iran spares the region the dangers of war by abiding by the international laws and conventions, stop interference in the internal affairs of the countries of the region, and stop supporting terrorist groups and militias and threatening the security of maritime navigation”. The statement went on to applaud “the actions taken by the U.S. to confront Iran”.

Chairing an emergency session of the GCC Supreme Council in Mecca, King Salman reiterated that “the Iranian regime's support for terrorism over four decades and threat to security and stability in order to expand its influence and hegemony are an act rejected by international norms and conventions”. “The lack of a deterrent and firm stance to confront the subversive activities of the Iranian regime in the region”, King Salman asserted, “has led the Iranian regime to continue and escalate these activities as we see today”. He demanded “the international community to shoulder its responsibilities towards the threat posed by Iranian practices”. In separate remarks to the Arab League, King Salman posited that “the hand of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will always be extended for cooperation and dialogue … to enhance development and prosperity and achieve lasting peace for the countries and peoples of the region, including the Iranian people”.

In Abu Dhabi, National Security Advisor John Bolton argued that the 12 May Fujairah incident involved “naval mines almost certainly from Iran”, adding that “it’s clear that Iran is behind the Fujairah attack”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson hit back at Bolton’s remarks, calling them “ridiculous allegation”. “Mr. Bolton and the other warmongering and bellicose ones must know that the Islamic Republic of Iran … will prevent materialization of their ominous plans for creating chaos in the region”, the spokesperson added.

Discussing Secretary Pompeo’s 24 May emergency notification on $8.1 billion in arms sales, the U.S.’ diplomatic spokesperson opined that “due to the deteriorating situation that we saw in the region directly related to Iran of course, and their regional threats, … we had to take this action because it helps our partners better defend themselves”.

In remarks to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Saudi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf stated that “Tehran’s support for Huthi militias in Yemen is proof of Iranian interference in other nations’ affairs and this is something that Islamic countries should reject”. Describing the Fujairah incident and Saudi pipeline attacks earlier in the month as “terrorist attacks”, al-Assad urged that they “must be countered with determination”.

The Saudi-led coalition’s spokesperson indicated that “we have documented information on the supply of missiles by the Revolutionary Guard to the Huthi militia in Yemen”. He added that “over 35 Huthi terrorist acts in Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea have been foiled”, and stated that “we are planning to speed up the military pace to neutralise Huthi threats”.

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Huthi drone allegedly attempting to target King Abdullah Airport in Jizan.

Saudi Arabia's UN envoy urged the Security Council "to shoulder its responsibilities by taking a firm stand against the Iran-backed terrorist Huthi militias after targeting vital populated areas in the Kingdom with ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles".

In an emergency notification, Secretary of State Pompeo "directed the Department to complete immediately the formal notification of 22 pending arms transfers to Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia totaling approximately $8.1 billion to deter Iranian aggression and build partner self-defence capacity". "Today's actions", Pompeo asserted, "will quickly augment our partners' capacity to provide for their own self-defence and reinforce recent changes to U.S. posture in the region to deter Iran". 

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Huthi drone purportedly attempting to target Najran Regional Airport.

Referring to the rocket fired near the U.S. embassy in Baghdad on 19 May and 12 May Fujairah incident, a senior Iranian defence official remarked that "if one day the evidence of recent events is revealed, then we will find that the Saudis, along with the United States, are the main cause". "The Saudis", he added, "are trying to undermine the security of the UAE for punishing the UAE and getting concessions and the United States is trying to exploit the mercenary countries in the region with the policy of Iranophobia". He also insisted that "we are not seeking any war, and we will not start it, but we are fully ready to defend [ourselves]".

A Saudi cabinet statement asserted that “Iran and its agents need to move away from its reckless behaviour and spare the region the risks and not push them to undesirable consequences”. The ministers also affirmed that Saudi Arabia “will do everything in its power to prevent any war, and that its hand is always extended to peace and seeks to achieve it”.

The Saudi-led coalition asserted that "Huthi militants had tried to hit a civilian facility in Saudi Arabia's southern border province of Najran with a drone carrying explosives". 

Saudi Arabia reportedly shot down a pair of Huthi missiles; media reports posited they were intended for Mecca and Jeddah but intercepted en route at Taif. Huthi leadership subsequently responded by saying that "what the Saudi regime claims about targeting Mecca is a big lie and a despicable claim... it is well-known that the criminal Saudi regime first raises false claims and then confesses to facts that it had previously concealed".

U.S. Central Command stated that "Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations commenced enhanced security patrols across the region in international waters May 18", adding that "ships of the GCC - both navies and coast guards - are working in tight coordination with each other and the United States navy".   

An unidentified Huthi source was cited as indicating that the 14 May drone attack against Saudi oil facilities constituted "the beginning of military operations against 300 vital military targets", which, according to the source, "included military vital headquarters and facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia as well as their bases in Yemen". 

A senior Huthi official, speaking one day after drone attacks against a Saudi pipeline, reportedly "denied they were acting on Iran's behalf, but were instead defending themselves against the Saudi-led" coalition.  

The Saudi government reported that "two pump stations on the East-West pipeline were attacked by armed drones which caused a fire and minor damage to Pump Station No. 8"; a senior official stressed that "these attacks prove again that it is important for us to face terrorist entities, including the Huthi militias in Yemen that are backed by Iran". A Huthi spokesperson subsequently took responsibility for the action, stating that "this is a message to Saudi Arabia, stop your aggression. Our goal is to respond to the crimes they are committing every day against the Yemeni people".  In June, media reports citing U.S. officials suggested that the drone had been launched from Iraq.

Discussing the 12 May Fujairah incident, an unnamed U.S. officials speculated that "this is what Iran does... the sort of thing you could see Iran doing". Separate reports relayed an "initial assessment" that "Iranian or Iranian-backed proxies" were culpable for damage to four vessels made by "explosive charges". 

The UAE indicated that "four commercial ships were subjected to sabotage operations... near UAE territorial waters in the Gulf of Oman". The Saudi government announced the following day that "two Saudi oil tankers were subjected to a sabotage attack in the exclusive economic zone of the United Arab Emirates, off the coast of the Emirate of Fujairah, while on their way to the Arabian Gulf... it caused significant damage to the structures of the two vessels". Iran's diplomatic spokesperson called the developments "concerning and regrettable". 

Saudi security forces "launched a preemptive security operation" in the east of the country, killing "eight extremists belonging to a recently-formed terrorist cell". 

In an advisory, the U.S Maritime Administration assessed that "since early May, there is an increased possibility that Iran and/or its regional proxies could take action against U.S. and partners interests, including oil production infrastructure, after recently threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz. Iran or its proxies could respond by targeting commercial vessels, including oil tankers, or U.S. military vessels in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait or the Persian Gulf". 

CENTCOM's commander asserted that "as we witness the humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen, it's important to remember that Iran is behind the irresponsible behaviour that actually led to the overthrow of the government in Yemen and created the crisis we now have in Yemen. The humanitarian tragedy that we confront in Yemen is the child of Iranian ambition and their support for the Huthis in trying to create a Hizbollah-like state in Yemen". He also indicated that "the Iranian regime has smuggled ballistic missiles into Yemen and assisted with their construction and deployment. And they're employed by the Huthis against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as against the United Arab Emirates, threatening our partners as well as Americans who live and work there. They've also irresponsibly fired missiles into the Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea, where vital commerce and oil transport occurs". 

An Iranian Hajj official asserted that "due to the severance of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, there are public concerns about the security of the Hajj. However, [in talks] with the Saudis, we have raised the issue that they should separate the Hajj from political issues, and they have accepted this in practice". 

Secretary Pompeo explained that "were this a simple civil war in Yemen, it would be difficult to justify America having any involvement, but sadly, that's not the case. This is the terrain in which al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula exists... we have an obligation to protect America, to take down that al-Qaeda terrorist threat that is on the inside of Yemen". "Moreover", Pompeo continued, "we have the Iranians using Yemen as a platform, a platform to hold ships transiting through the strait and around and through the waters that surround Yemen, both to the south of Yemen and to the west of Yemen, holding Americans ships, ships sailing through those seas, at risk. We also have Iranian platforms... unmanned, armed aerial vehicles as well as missile systems launching missiles into Riyadh and into the Emirates, where Americans travel frequently. There are real security risks". "The Saudis have an unambiguous right to defend themselves from attacks out of Yemen", he added, "and it is not the Huthis but rather the Iranians that are responsible for that". 

A 53-45 vote in the U.S. Senate was not enough to overturn President Trump's 16 April veto on continued U.S. involvement in the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. 

Saudi Arabia responded to an Iranian request for assistance with a hobbled Iranian oil tanker; the vessel was routed to Jeddah. 

A senior Saudi diplomat remarked that "any radioactive leakage puts the region at a grave and serious danger to its air, food and water desalination stations". "My country", he added, "expresses its concern about perils posed by the Bushehr nuclear plant". The official went on to call for "stricter measures against Iran in order to fulfill the ultimate aim of the NPT, which is to achieve global peace". 

Iran's diplomatic spokesperson criticised Saudi Arabia and Bahrain's endorsement of expanded U.S. sanctions against Iran, suggesting that their positions showed "blind obedience to the U.S." He added that "Iran will not allow any market to replace it in the oil market, and holds the U.S. and the aforesaid countries... accountable for all consequences". 

At a conference in Russia, a senior Saudi defence official posited that "we have to choose between the chaos that Iran spreads and stability, security and development... Iran is spreading chaos in the region through destruction and bloodshed, and by supporting the militias of Hizbollah and Huthis".  

After the Saudi government executed 37 individuals who had "adopted terrorist and extremist thinking", Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted that there had been "not a whisper from the Trump administration... membership in the B-Team - Bolton, Bin Salman, Bin Zayed and 'Bibi' - gives immunity for any crime".

Huthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi warned that "our missiles are capable of reaching Riyadh and beyond Riyadh, to Dubai and Abu Dhabi... it is possible to target strategic, vital, sensitive and influential targets in the event of any escalation in Hodeida". 

As the U.S. announced its intent to end oil waivers, Saudi Arabia's energy minister indicated that the government would "coordinate with fellow oil producers to ensure adequate supplies are available to consumers while ensuring the global market does not go out of balance". 

Saudi Arabia partnered with the UAE for "a joint initiative to alleviate the suffering of people affected by the devastating flash floods that recently hit Iran". 

Saudi state media reported that "an official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's welcome to the U.S.' classification of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation"; Bahrain similarly hailed the designation. In response, Iran's diplomatic spokesperson opined that the two countries were "not in a position to express their stances against the Islamic Republic of Iran by playing a deceitful role" adding that "they will fail to hide behind such worthless stances and deflect the world's attention away from their responsibility in promoting terrorism across the region and the world". 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi drone bound for Asir. 

Commenting on Saudi Arabia's nuclear program, Secretary Pompeo asserted that "I can't tell you where the [U.S.-Saudi] negotiations sit because they're still ongoing, but make no mistake about it: we only wish that the previous administration had taken that threat seriously with respect to the Islamic Republic of Iran. They cut a deal that puts Iran on a path towards nuclear weapons". "We will not permit that to happen", Pompeo added. "We will never write a $150 million check to the Saudis and hand them over the capacity to threaten Israel and the U.S. with nuclear weapons, never". 

Responding to an interviewer's comment that "you might not like Saudi Arabia, but do you want to give Yemen to Iran?", Secretary Pompeo argued that "this has been the administration's point all along. The true threat there in the region is the Islamic Republic of Iran. We don't want to do things that benefit them". 

Saudi Arabia inaugurated a consulate in Baghdad; Saudi officials also announced "the construction of a sports city for the people of Iraq... and the provision of a $1 billion grant from the Kingdom to Iraq to contribute to its development [and] for the kingdom to be a key partner in the renaissance of Iraq". 

Saudi Arabia intercepted two Huthi drones bound for Khamis Mushait; the resultant debris reportedly wounded five civilians. 

King Salman affirmed Saudi Arabia's "total rejection of any measures that would infringe on Syrian sovereignty over the Golan". He also urged "the international community to compel Iran-backed Huthi militias to stop their aggressive practices that have caused the sufferings of the Yemeni people and threatened the security and stability of the region".  

Saudi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf asserted that "we reject President Trump's declaration on the occupied Golan, which is a Syrian Arab land". Al-Assaf also opined that "Iran's ballistic missiles pose a threat to regional and international security", adding that the Kingdom considered "Iran fully responsible for what is happening in Yemen". 

On Yemen, Secretary of State Pompeo argued that "since America's begin to assist the Saudis in their campaign, the ratio of civilian casualties to effectiveness has decreased dramatically", also noting that "the Iranians have contributed zero dollars to humanitarian assistance". "I'm hopeful", Pompeo added, "that the Iranians will lose heart and that the Huthis will see that they can have a political role there". 

Following President Trump's decision to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, Saudi Arabia announced "its firm rejection and condemnation of the declaration" and "affirmed its firm and principled position on the Golan Heights that it is an occupied Syrian Arab land". The government further predicted that the move would "have great negative effects on the peace process in the Middle East, [and the] security and stability of the region". 

Foreign Minister Zarif posited that "Saudi Arabia and its allies rejected Iran's peace plan for Yemen in April 2015 - claiming that victory was at hand within three weeks. On the eve of the war's shameful fifth year, a reminder that it's not too late to stop the nightmare that this war has become". 

Supreme Leader Khamenei remarked that "I do not know any state in this region, or maybe anywhere in the world, worse than the Saudi regime. It is a despotic, dictatorial, corrupt, tyrannical and dependent regime". He also stated that "I would not worry" about Saudi missile production, "because I know in the near future they will be in the hands of Islamic warriors". 

A senior U.S. diplomat asserted that "Iran has provided ballistic missile to the Huthis that have been fired into Saudi Arabia, and unmanned aerial systems to Huthi groups that enable long-range, indiscriminate strikes against land-based targets in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates". 

Discussing a 13 March Senate vote against continued U.S. assistance to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, Secretary Pompeo remarked that "we all want this conflict to end... but the Trump administration fundamentally disagrees that curbing our assistance to the Saudi-led coalition is the right way to achieve those goals". "If you truly care about Yemeni lives", Pompeo suggested, "you'd support the Saudi-led effort to prevent Yemen from turning into a puppet state of the corrupt, brutish Islamic Republic of Iran. If we truly care about Saudi lives, you'd want to stop Iran-backed Huthis from launching missiles into Riyadh. If you truly care about Arab lives in the region, you'd support allied efforts to prevent Iran from extending its authoritarian rule from Tehran to the Mediterranean Sea and on down to Yemen. And if we truly care about American lives and livelihoods, and the lives and livelihoods of people all around the world, you'd understand that Iran and its proxies cannot be allowed to control the shipping lanes that abut Yemen". "The way to alleviate the Yemeni people's suffering", he went on to argue, "isn't to prolong the conflict by handicapping our partners in the fight, but by giving the Saudi-led coalition the support needed to defeat Iranian-backed rebels and ensure a just peace". 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi drone en route to Abha; five civilians were injured by debris.

CENTCOM commander Joseph Votel remarked that "the conflict in Yemen opened opportunities for Iran, which continues to provide support to the Huthis aimed at building a proxy force designed to pressure the Saudi-led coalition and expand Iranian regional influence. This support enables Huthis to launch missiles at its neighbours and target ships in the Bab al-Mandab and Red Sea; threatening Americans and our partners and raising the risk of broader regional conflict". 

Secretary of State Pompeo asserted that "the reason we sell weapons to Saudi Arabia is very straightforward: they're an important strategic partner of the U.S... that strategic relationship is absolutely vital to the U.S." He added that "as for Yemen, it's a complicated place. The Iranians have provided weapons systems to the Huthis there, where they have now built missiles that are landing in Saudi Arabia. No, no, no, America wouldn't tolerate this for a second. If the Iranians had provided missiles to a group that was launching weapons systems into Des Moines, I am confident you would demand that your government stand up and push back against that, in the same way the Saudi government is pushing back against that".

A senior Saudi diplomat urged that "the world community shall intervene to end the human rights violations being committed by Tehran against groups of the Iranian people, as well as cross-border violations, and interference in the internal affairs of the countries in the region".

 A senior Saudi official posted a video showing contrasting statements about Saudi Arabia by Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and an IRGC official, opining that "the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia learned the hard way that Zarif is just another face of the same coin; now we know who is the jockey and who is the horse". He added that "perhaps Zarif announced his resignation because he finally understood that his peaceful rhetoric in Europe isn't worth much back home. We always listen to what is said in Tehran and not by Zarif in Europe". 

A senior Saudi diplomat urged "the international community to put an end to Iranian human rights violations, whether it is against Iranian people in the face of Ahvaz, or across the region by supporting terrorist militias and promoting sectarian strife". 

In remarks at an Arab League-EU summit in Egypt, King Salman "called for denouncing the launch of more than 200 Iranian-manufactured ballistic missiles towards the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stressing that the Iranian activities to destablise security and stability of the maritime navigation in Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea represent a direct and dangerous security of all". He also indicated that "the Iranian regime's support for [Huthi] militias and others in the region and its aggressive practices and blatant interference in the affairs of the states requires a unified international position to coerce Iran [into] respecting the rules of good neighbourliness and international law and put an end to its nuclear and ballistic program". 

Officials from the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and other regional governments convened in Washington to discuss "the political and security pillars of the Middle East Strategic Alliance". A subsequent U.S. statement indicated that "consultations included formative exchanges on the strategic objectives of the alliance, with particular emphasis on political and security-related topics". 

A senior Saudi official denied Iranian accusations of Saudi involvement in a deadly 13 February attack against an IRGC bus in south-eastern Iran, instead arguing that "Iran has been harbouring virtually the board of directors of al-Qaeda" and "facilitating the transport of terrorists across its territory". "The last country in the world to accuse others of supporting terrorism is Iran", he added. Iran's diplomatic spokesperson responded by dubbing Saudi Arabia "the real godfather of Takfiri terrorism" and "cradle of fundamentalist ideology". 

Prime Minister Netanyahu's office posted, then removed, a video clip taken during the Ministerial to Promote a Future of Peace and Security in the Middle East showing senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE criticising Iran. These comments included Bahrain's foreign minister suggesting that "we grew up talking about the Israel-Palestine issue as the most important issue... but then, at a later stage, we saw a bigger challenge, we saw a more toxic one - in fact the more toxic one in our history - that came from the Islamic Republic". "This is the challenge we have to face in order to deal with other challenges", the foreign minister added. The footage also showed a senior Saudi official concluding with respect to Iran that "any attempt to be nice to them, if anything, encourages them rather then discourages them".  

The U.S., UK, Saudi Arabia and the UAE met for consultations regarding Yemen. A joint declaration noted that their representatives "discussed Iran's destabilising effect in Yemen, through the illicit provision of finance, ballistic missiles and advanced weaponry to the Huthis, and in the wider region". It further indicated that "the efforts to reduce illicit fuel imports by the Huthis, the ministers discussed steps to curb activity facilitating Iranian oil flows whilst at the same time, ensuring fuel flows through Red Sea ports". 

CENTCOM commander Joseph Votel assessed that "the conflicts in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Libya have challenged Saudi Arabia's partners in the region, beset by the malign influence driven by experienced and well-funded Iranian proxies". He further indicated "the ballistic missile threat and armed UASs emanating from Yemeni territory continue to pose a significant risk, as the Huthis consider civil infrastructure as legitimate military targets". 

Secretary of State Pompeo held discussions with senior Saudi officials in Riyadh, including on "the need for continued regional efforts to stand against the Iranian regime's malign activity". 

As the White House authorised a $195 million overhaul of Saudi missile defence systems, a U.S. diplomat underscored that "Saudi Arabia has been an important partner for the U.S. in curbing the malign behaviour of Iran, who is the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism, and the source of the growing ballistic missile threat to our regional partners". 

The Houthis reportedly fired two missiles towards Saudi Arabia over 24 hours, including one intercepted en route to Najran. 

President Trump announced that "Saudi Arabia has now agreed to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria". 

An Iranian Hajj official reported that Saudi Arabia had moved ahead with compensation payments for Iranian fatalities during the 2015 pilgrimage. 

Saudi Arabia and Iran inked a memorandum of understanding regarding the 2019 Hajj. 

Iranian officials traveled to Saudi Arabia for discussions regarding the 2019 Hajj. 

In a speech to the GCC Supreme Council, King Salman warned that "extremist and terrorist forces continue to threaten Gulf and Arab security. The Iranian regime continues to pursue its hostile policies in sponsoring these forces and interfering in the internal affairs of other countries". "This", he added, "requires all of us to preserve the gains of our countries, to work with our partners in order to maintain security and stability... and to insist on the need to achieve full and adequate guarantees on Iran's nuclear program and its ballistic missile development program". 

Following Huthis claims of a missile strike against the Saudi military in Najran, Saudi Arabia countered that it had, in fact, located and destroyed a Huthi launch site after "the Huthi militia attempted to fire a ballistic missile towards the kingdom". 

The State Department confirmed that Washington and Riyadh had inked an arms purchase by Saudi Arabia valued at $15 billion; a spokesperson indicated that the missile system would help counter "the growing ballistic missile threat from the Iranian regime and Iran-backed extremist groups". 

In remarks to the Shura Council, King Salman argued that "the international community must work to put an end to the Iranian regime's nuclear and ballistic missiles program, and stop its destabilising activities in the region and its flagrant interference in the internal affairs of other countries". 

Citing improvements in "its capability to independently conduct in-flight refueling in Yemen", the Saudi-led coalition announced that it had, "in consultation with the U.S.... requested cessation of in-flight refueling support for its operations in Yemen". In a statement, Secretary of Defence James Mattis indicated that "we support the decision... to use the Coalition's own military capabilities to conduct in-flight refueling in support of operations in Yemen", adding that "the U.S. will also continue working with the Coalition and Yemen to minimise civilian casualties and expand urgent humanitarian efforts throughout the country". 

A spokesperson for the Hadi government claimed that the Huthis have "terrorist intentions to target international navigation paths and global trade in Bab al-Mandab and south of the Red Sea, and to blow up the Safer oil tank at Ras Isa". 

The Saudi foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, argued that "the primary regional actor for instability has been the Khomeini revolution in Iran, and the behaviour and the actions of the Iranian state ever since". Describing an Iranian "vision of darkness, which seeks to spread sectarianism, encourages terrorism, seeks to dominate other countries and seeks to destabilise the region", al-Jubeir added that "we know that light always triumphs over darkness".

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain announced sanctions designations against the IRGC, Qods force commander Qasem Soleimani and other Qods force officials. A senior IRGC official denounced the move.  

The U.S., Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and other members of the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) announced sanctions designations against "nine individuals associated with the Taliban, including those facilitating Iranian support to bolster the terrorist group". Treasury Secretary Mnuchin asserted that "Iran's provision of military training, financing, and weapons to the Taliban is yet another example of Tehran's blatant regional meddling and support for terrorism", adding that it "epitomises the regime's utter disregard for fundamental international norms". 

The Saudi energy minister, Khalid al-Falih, maintained that "Saudi Arabia is a very responsible country, for decades we used our oil policy as a responsible economic tool and isolated it from politics... we will exercise our wisdom both in political and economic fronts". 

Discussing areas of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the U.S., Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman remarked that "we are pushing back against extremists and terrorists and Iran's negative moves in the Middle East in a good way". Bin Salman added that "the request that America made to Saudi Arabia and other OPEC countries is to be sure that if there is any loss of [oil] supply from Iran, that we will supply that. And that happened... we export as much as two barrels for any barrel that disappeared from Iran recently".

The Saudi Navy reportedly sank two "booby-trapped [Huthi] boats heading toward the port of Jizan". 

In his address to the UN General Assembly, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir declared that "Iran continues its terrorist activities and aggressive behaviour. Saudi Arabia support the new U.S. strategy to deal with Iran, including seriousness in dealing with its nuclear program, the ballistic missile program and its support for terrorism". He went on to call for "deterrence of Iran's expansionist and destructive policies".

A senior U.S. diplomat characterised the establishment of Middle East Strategic Alliance as providing a "strong shield against threats in the Gulf", and described Iran as the "number one threat". He also suggested that "Iran is getting away with literally murder" in Yemen, adding that "it's incumbent on all of us to raise the cost to Iran". 

A Saudi foreign ministry official asserted "that the Kingdom categorically rejects accusations made by Iranian officials about Saudi Arabia's support for attacks on Iran's military parade [in Ahvaz on 22 September]". 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired at Jizan. 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired at Jizan; pro-Huthi media claimed that the Badr-1 had "left huge human and material losses among the enemy's ranks". 

Saudi Arabia's U.S. ambassador asserted that "the security of Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Horn of Africa is vital for KSA [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia], the region and the world. Around fifteen per cent of the world's trade passes through this area and KSA will keep working towards safeguarding the region from instability whether it's from piracy or Iran's militias".

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired at Jizan.

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired at Najran. 

Commenting on the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, the Saudi ambassador to the U.S. noted that "the Special Tribunal for Lebanon renewed its accusations against four Hizbollah members, while they remain free; they continue to hold Lebanon hostage to Iranian terrorism". He added that "the international community must come together and hold those who committed this crime against Lebanon's sovereignty accountable by identifying the conspirators and punishing them. Rogue regimes must pay a price for using political assassinations to spread chaos in our region". 

The U.S. secretary of state "certified to Congress... that the governments of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are undertaking demonstrable actions to reduce the risk of harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure resulting from military operations of these governments" in Yemen. The decision was subsequently endorsed by the Pentagon. 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired at Najran. 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired toward Jizan. 

More than three dozen people were injured in Saudi Arabia from the debris of a Huthi missile launched at Najran. According to the Saudi-led coalition, the Huthis "have so far fired 189 ballistic missiles toward and kingdom and these have resulted in the death of a total of 112 civilians, including [Saudi] citizens and expatriates, and injury of hundreds of others". 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a pair of Huthi missiles aimed at Jizan. 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile aimed at Jizan. 

The Huthis claimed to have attacked a Saudi military vessel. 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired toward Najran; seven people were injured by the debris. 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired towards Najran. 

A report by UN-appointed experts on Yemen tallied nearly 17,000 civilian casualties in Yemen between March 2015 and June 2018, and found that "coalition air strikes have caused most of the documented civilian casualties". The Saudi-led coalition and their Yemeni allies denounced the report. 

A senior Iranian official acknowledged that "the Hajj ritual was performed appropriately this year", and added that Saudi-Iranian relations "can improve by extending cooperation in Hajj to political issues". 

Saudi Arabia revealed that it had taken the unprecedented step of deploying Patriot missile systems around Mecca to counter possible Huthi missiles during the 2018 Hajj.  

The Saudi-led coalition claimed to have thwarted an attempt by the Huthis to strike a commercial ship with a bomb-laden speedboat; pro-Huthi media indicated that "a special operation" had taken place and "achieved its aims in high accuracy". 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired at Jizan; pro-Huthi media claimed that two Zilzal-1s had been launched. 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired at Jizan; pro-Huthi media claimed that the Badr-1 struck a Saudi army camp. 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired at Jizan.   

The Saudi-led coalition announced "that it had destroyed the SAM Type-6 air defence system of [the] Huthi militias in Sanaa", stating that "we will prevent terrorist organisations from acquiring capabilities that threaten air navigation". 

The Saudi ambassador to Washington, Khalid bin Salman, took to Twitter to assert that "among the much ignored realities in Yemen is not only the direct assistance the Huthi militia receives from the Iranian regime, but the existence of Hizbollah commanders on the ground". Subsequent tweets showed an alleged Hizbollah member "advising [the Huthis] on asymmetric warfare" and "deception tactics", which the ambassador went to cite as "evidence (among others) [that] confirms the ideological and military connection the Huthis and Hizbollah have to the Iranian regime". 

Three Iranian fishermen apprehended in Saudi waters in 2017 were released.

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired at Najran. 

Saudi Arabia intercepted two Huthi missiles fired at Jizan. 

Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the U.S., Khalid bin Salman, seized on comments by an IRGC official to argue that "there should be no more doubt about the Iranian regime's menacing role in Yemen... its belligerent use of proxy warfare threatens global trade and is a continuation of their outlawed and globally condemned behaviour since 1979". The comments, which suggested that Iran had instructed the Huthis to carry out attacks against Saudi vessels, had been clarified by Iranian media as a misquote. 

Iran blasted an 8 August communique issued by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation which, inter alia, urged the UN Security Council "to hold the Huthi militias and their Iranian sponsors accountable for their countless crimes against international law". The foreign ministry complained that Iranian representatives "cannot attend the meetings of the... OIC as Saudi Arabia refuses to grant visas to them, and these kinds of statements are issued under the pressure posed by Saudi Arabia in an unfair and partial manner". 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi Badr-1 missile fired at Jizan; debris reportedly killed one and injured eleven. The following day, the Saudi-led coalition carried out airstrikes in Yemen "to target the militants responsible for planning and targeting civilians, which resulted in killing and injuring them, last night in Jizan". According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, these resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries. 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile targeting Najran. 

Commenting on Iran's relations with Saudi Arabia, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson opined that "the problems originate mostly from inside Saudi Arabia... they are somehow under the illusion that they may win more concessions from Iran through patience". He also revealed that "there are signs that [Iran's] Interests Section office [in Riyadh] would open and become active". 

The Saudi government announced that it had "resumed oil shipments through Bab al-Mandab", which were suspended on 25 July following Huthi attacks against two Saudi tankers. 

Saudi Arabia's UN envoy noted in letters to the Secretary-General and Security Council president that "the Security Council's inaction... has allowed Iran to arm the terrorist Huthi militias with several ballistic missiles, drones and sea mines". 

A senior Huthi official remarked that their forces are "not after bombarding [other countries], but cannot also sit back. From now on, the capitals of the Arab coalition members will no longer be safe". 

Saudi Aramco announced that it had "temporarily halted all oil shipments through Bab al-Mandeb with immediate effect" after the Huthis attacked two tankers, causing "minimal damage" to one of the vessels. In a statement, the UAE asserted that "this cowardly attack mirrors the negative and dangerous role played by Iran in support of these coup militias and insisting on its hostile practices through providing the Huthi terrorists with weapons, equipment and ballistic missiles that threaten peace and security in the region". 

Iran denounced a 23 July op-ed by Saudi Arabia's envoy in Washington as "too farcical to deserve any kind of response". 

A Huthi attack against a Saudi oil tanker caused "slight damage" to the ship; pro-Huthi media claimed to have targeted a Saudi military vessel and a senior Huthi official referred to the operation as "a turning point in the confrontation line with the aggression". 

In an opinion piece, the Saudi ambassador to Washington pledged that "Saudi Arabia is committed to doing everything we can to help the U.S." in its policy toward Iran. "Whatever your position on the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal", he wrote, "we all should now answer a higher calling: deterring Iran and its minions from their campaign of chaos". 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired at Jizan; pro-Huthi media reported that the Badr-1 was aimed at Jizan airport. 

The Huthis claimed to have attacked an Aramco facility in Riyadh using a newly-developed droned dubbed Sammad-2; a Huthi official called the operation "a successful and special experience". Aramco reported "a minor fire" at its refinery in the Saudi capital, which it said was "due to an operational incident"

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired at Najran. 

Saudi Arabia's envoy to the U.S. posited that "the advancement of the Yemeni forces on multiple fronts... is a testament that the people of Yemen are more than ever united on the goal of restoring peace to their country and expelling all Iranian influence". He added that Saudi Arabia "will continue to lead the Coalition's efforts towards achieving a political solution... until then we will continue to stand with brethren in Yemen against Iran's expansionist agenda". 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile aimed at Najran; pro-Huthi media indicated that the target was a Saudi military facility. 

Saudi Arabia's UN envoy asserted that his government "will confront the militias of the Lebanese Hizbollah party everywhere, and expose its practices to the international community". 

In a protest note to the UN, Saudi Arabia decried "repeated infringements and violations of Iranian boats and vessels of restricted areas of the oil fields and platforms, located in the waters of the Kingdom", adding the it "holds... Iran fully responsible for any damage that may arise as a result of these violations and abuses". 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile aimed at Jizan; pro-Huthi media reported that the Badr-1 was intended for Jizan Economic City. 

The secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, maintained that "we will be prepared that when Iran does things like launch missiles that come [to the UAE] or go to Riyadh, that we are prepared to defend the region militarily". 

A senior U.S. diplomat described Saudi Arabia as "a key partner in our effort to isolate and pressure Iran", adding that "the U.S. and its Gulf partners are working very well together to push back on Iran until it starts behaving like a normal country". 

The Saudi-led coalition claimed to have "evidence suggesting Hizbollah had been training elements of the Huthi militia". 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired toward Jizan. 

The Huthis announced that they had produced "underground ballistic missile launchers that cannot be targeted by the Saudi-led coalition's warplanes". 

A Huthi missile strike reportedly injured a child in Jizan.

A senior Iranian official warned that "anyone trying to take away Iran's oil market [share] would be committing great treachery against Iran and will one day pay for it". 

In a letter to the OPEC president, Iran's envoy lamented that "unilateral behaviour in production increase by some member countries is weakening the very foundation of our organisation".

In a conversation with King Salman, President Trump asked "that, because the turmoil and dysfunction in Iran and Venezuela... Saudi Arabia increase oil production, maybe up to 2 million barrels, to make up the difference". 

The Huthis "announced a successful test of a short-range ballistic missile", adding that "the new ballistic missile carries specifications [that] will be revealed in the coming days". 

Iran's OPEC envoy denounced Saudi Arabia's decision to raise its oil production to record levels, declaring that "the State Department says [an earlier OPEC decision] is short and Saudi Arabia says they will produce 11 million barrels per day in July. I regret to say they are both ridiculing our organisation".  

The Huthi spokesman, Mohammad Abdulsalam, threatened that "our rockets will reach places that the enemy will not expect... the longer the aggression and war continue, the greater our ballistic missile capabilities". 

A senior Iranian defence official declared that "if [the] Saudis dare to attack Iran, the royal palaces in Riyadh will be immediately showered with 1,000 missiles". 

Saudi Arabia intercepted two Huthi missiles aimed at Riyadh; pro-Huthi media claimed that multiple Burkan missiles "hit an information centre of [the] Saudi defence ministry and other vital royal targets accurately".  

A senior Iranian official suggested that "the Emiratis and Saudis should know that if they continue this unequal war [in Yemen], they will suffer more than today".

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile aimed at Khamis Mushait; pro-Huthi media claimed that a Badr-1 had been fired at a Saudi Aramco facility in Abha. 

Iranian officials announced that "preliminary agreements have been made to open an office in Saudi Arabia to solve the potential problems of Iranians during [the] Hajj pilgrimage". 

A Huthi missile fired toward Jizan caused one civilian injury.

Following the launch of the Saudi-led coalition's offensive against Hodeida, Iran declared that "the crisis in Yemen has no military solution and resorting to force would lead nowhere".

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile aimed at Khamis Mushait. 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile aimed at Jizan; pro-Huthi media claimed the Badr-1 successfully hit King Faisal Military City. 

Huthi forces claimed to have struck a UAE military vessel "carrying troops prepared for landing on Hodeida coast".  

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi ballistic missile aimed at Jizan. 

Three Saudi civilians were killed in Jizan by what authorities described as a "projectile launched by the Huthi militia". 

Saudi Arabia's envoy to Washington argued that "We have Vision 2030. [The Iranians] have Vision 1979. We want to move the region forward. They want to move the region backward".

A Saudi court issued death sentences against four individuals accused of having "received training at Revolutionary Guard camps in Iran" and plotting bombings and assassinations within Saudi Arabia. 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi ballistic missile aimed at Yanbu.

Following discussions between Iranian and Saudi officials regarding the Hajj, Iran's 2018 quota for pilgrims was raised to 90 thousand, compared to 85 thousand in 2017. 

Yemen's pro-Hadi military tallied the total number of naval mines cleared since January 2016 at 160.

Saudi Arabia shot down a Huthi drone bound for Abha International Airport. Pro-Huthi media subsequently claimed that "the Yemeni army has recently developed dozens of combat drones".

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile aimed at Najran; pro-Huthi media claimed the Badr-1 struck a "military camp".  

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile bound for Jizan; pro-Huthi media claimed to have struck the port with a Badr-1. 

The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions designations against five Iranians "who have provided ballistic missile-related technical expertise to Yemen's Huthis, and who have transferred weapons not seen in Yemen prior to the current conflict". 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired toward Jizan; pro-Huthi media claimed to have hit the airport with a Badr-1 and caused "considerable material losses". 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired toward Khamis Mushait; a second missile landed without causing damage or casualties.  

The U.S., Saudi Arabia and five other members of the Terrorist Financing and Targeting Center (TFTC) announced sanctions designations against Hizbollah's leadership.

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile launched at Jizan.

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired at Jizan. 

Saudi Arabia reported the interception of Huthi missiles fired towards Jizan, Najran, and Riyadh. 

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister posited that "we are trying to avoid at all costs direct military action with Iran, but Iran's behaviour such as this cannot continue. [Iranian military assistance to the Huthis] amounts to a declaration of war". 

Saudi Arabia lauded the U.S. decision to pull out of the JCPOA. 

A Huthi military official threatened that "If Saudi Arabia continues to kill the people of Yemen... Saudi vessels and sites at the Bab el-Mandeb strait will become military targets".  

Saudi Arabia intercepted two Huthi missiles fired towards Najran. 

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif declared that "the U.S. is well advised to finally start honoring its commitments or it and only it will have to accept responsibility for the consequences of not doing so".

An Iranian defence official posited that "the elements of national power of the Islamic Republic are superior to the elements of national power of Saudi Arabia and the country does not have the potential to pose a threat against Iran". 

The Saudi foreign minister, Adel Jubeir, called for increased international sanctions against Iran and endorsed the Trump administration's approach towards the JCPOA. 

Saudi Arabia intercepted four Huthi ballistic missiles directed at Jizan; pro-Huthi media claimed to have launched eight Badr-1s.  

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired at Najran. 

Saudi Arabia shot down two ballistic missiles that, according to pro-Huthi media, were targeting an Aramco facility in Jizan. 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile fired at Najran. 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile intended for Jizan; pro-Huthi media indicated the Badr-1 was targeting Jizan airport. 

The Saudi-led coalition put the tally of Huthi missiles fired towards Saudi Arabia at 119, and warned that "if the Huthis continue targeting industrial or residential facilities, the response will be hard and painful". 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi missile intended for Najran. Pro-Huthi media reported that the missile, a Badr-1, had been aimed at a power plant.

At an Arab League summit in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia's King Salman reiterated "our strong condemnation of Iran's terrorist acts in the Arab region". He also indicated that the number of Huthi missiles fired at Saudi Arabia since 2015 was 116. Iran's foreign ministry censured his comments the following day. 

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Huthi ballistic missile fired from Saada towards Jizan.

Saudi Arabia shot down three ballistic missiles, including one over Riyadh, and two Huthi drones over Jizan and Abha airport. In a statement, the White House affirmed "the right of our Saudi partners to defend their borders against these threats, which are fueled by the Iranian regime's dangerous proliferation of weapons and destabilizing activities in the region". 

As Iran's currency tumbled in value, the governor of the Central Bank of Iran, Valiollah Seif, claimed that "in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, some planning is being done to disrupt Iran's forex exchange market". 

The Abqaiq, a Saudi super tanker, reportedly suffered "some minor damage" as the result of a Huthi attack in international waters. 

Debris from an intercepted Huthi missile injured one person in Najran.   

A Saudi court sentenced two Saudis to a combined 47 years in jail for their involvement with an Iran-backed PMU. The defendants were accused of receiving training in Iran and Iraq "for the purpose of carrying out terror attacks" within Saudi Arabia. 

The leader of Hizbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, alleged that Saudi Arabia had offered substantial aid for Syria's reconstruction if the Syrian government broke ties with Iran and Hizbollah. 

In response to Huthi missile strikes on 25 March, the Saudi-led coalition declared that they "reserve the right to respond against Iran at the right time and right place". 

During his tour of the U.S., the Saudi crown prince, Mohammad bin Salman, argued that the JCPOA was only a temporary reprieve from Iran's development of nuclear weapons. "Delaying it and watching them getting that bomb, that means you are waiting for the bullet to reach your head", he declared, "so you have to move from today". 

Saudi Arabia intercepted seven Huthi missiles reportedly fired towards Riyadh, Jizan, Najran, and Khamis Mushait. Debris killed one and injured two in Riyadh. 

The White House hosted a meeting of the national security advisors of the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and the UAE where they discussed "joint efforts to counter the Iranian regime's malign influence and provocative behavior". 

The Saudi crown prince, Mohammad bin Salman, declared that "Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible". 

The Saudi crown prince, Mohammad bin Salman, reportedly labeled Iran as part of a regional "triangle of evil". He also maintained that Saudi Arabia has "managed to besiege Iran and its threats, including those in Yemen, and we were not dragged into war with Iran as it was trying to bait us". 

The Saudi crown prince, Mohammad bin Salman, maintained in an interview that Lebanon's prime minister, Saad Hariri, is "in a better position" domestically following his (subsequently withdrawn) November resignation. He also "described ambitious plans to mobilise Yemeni tribes against the Huthis and their Iranian backers in Yemen".

A Saudi diplomat suggested that Iran "is not just sending weapons, they are transferring the knowhow in ballistic missiles to Yemenis" which could end up with Al Qaeda or ISIS. 

Saudi Arabia released 9 Iranian fishermen who had reportedly been held for 2 years after entering Saudi waters. 

In an interview with Reuters, the Saudi foreign minister, Adel Jubeir, supported the prospect of a UN Security Council resolution against what he characterised as Iran's "export of ballistic missiles" to Yemen. Jubeir also advocated revision of the JCPOA's terms regarding sunset periods and IAEA inspections.  

Iran dismissed remarks by the Saudi foreign minister, Adel Jubeir, describing Iran's role in Iraq as "a threat to Iraq and to it unity, stability and security".   

A Huthi missile fired at Khamis Mushait was reportedly intercepted by Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia claimed to have intercepted a Huthi missile fired at Jizan.

A UN panel found Iran in violation of the 2015 weapons embargo on Yemen. Its report noted that "Iran is in non-compliance with [the embargo] in that it failed to take the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles to the Huthi-Saleh alliance". 

In an interview, Lebanon’s prime minister, Saad Hariri, maintained that “Hizbollah has been a member of this [the Lebanese] government. This is an inclusive government that has all the big parties, and that brings political stability to the country”.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, accused Saudi Arabia of working with the U.S. and Israel to foment unrest in Iran.

Another Huthi missile launch towards Najran was intercepted, after the Saudi-led coalition put the total number of Huthi missiles fired at Saudi Arabia at 86.

The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted another ballistic missile over Riyadh. The Huthis claimed responsibility and said it was aimed at al-Yamama royal palace. The coalition spokesman argued that the launch "proves the continued involvement of the Iranian regime in supporting [the] Huthi armed group with qualitative capabilities in a clear and blatant defiance of... UN resolution[s]". In a televised address from Sanaa, the leader of the Huthis, Abd-al-Malik al-Huthi, threatened: "as long as you [ie, the Saudi-led coalition] continue to target Sanaa, we will strike Riyadh and Abu Dhabi".

Iran's foreign minister, Javad Zarif, disseminated a seven-page report arguing that Saudi Arabia and the UAE have “instigated a humanitarian catastrophe” in Yemen, to which the U.S. is “directly complicit”. The report also dismisses charges of Iranian missile transfers to the Huthis as “alternative facts”. 

Zarif called on Saudi Arabia to “realise that the snake they produce, all of the snakes they have produced in the past 40 years – be it Saddam Hussein, be it the Taliban, be it ISIS – have ended up turning against them”.

The UN Secretary-General released the fourth biannual report regarding Security Council Resolution 2231's implementation. The report notes Saudi Arabia's assessment regarding the Iranian origin of missiles fired from Yemen at Saudi Arabia in July and November 2017, but adds that "the Secretariat is still analysing the information collected".

In an interview, the Saudi crown prince, Mohammad bin Salman, referred to Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, as “the new Hitler of the Middle East”, adding that “we learned from Europe that appeasement doesn’t work. We don’t want the new Hitler in Iran to repeat what happened in Europe in the Middle East”.

The Arab League met in Cairo and issued a resolution highly critical of Iran. The Saudi foreign minister, Adel Jubeir, stated during the meeting that Saudi Arabia “will not stand by and will not hesitate to defend its security”, while the Arab League’s secretary-general, Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, raised the prospect of a “draft Arab resolution” regarding Iran for the UN Security Council’s consideration.

U.S. military officials asserted that the Huthi missiles fired against Riyadh had Iranian origins.

The White House released a statement affirming its support for Saudi Arabia. The statement notes that “Houthi missile strikes against Saudi Arabia, enabled by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, threaten regional security and undermine UN efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict”.

Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, criticised the Saudi-led campaign in Yemen, asking: “How should the Yemeni nation respond to bombardment on such a scale? They are told not to use their own weapons. Well, stop the bombing and see whether or not the Yemeni nation responds positively”.

The Huthis threaten further attacks on Saudi and Emirati ports and airports.

the Saudi embassy in Washington published a factsheet entitled “Facts about Iranian Involvement in Houthi Aggression against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”.  It stated that Riyadh had “conclusively proven” that the missile used in the 4 November attack “was an Iranian made Qiam ballistic missile”. The statement goes on to make several other charges of Iranian involvement with the Huthis, such as training and providing drones.

Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Muhammad bin Salman, said that the missile attack on 4 November “may be considered an act of war”.